The temperatures remained well above normal for the month of December across South Texas with very dry conditions continuing for the majority of the region. Isolated areas in the Mid Coast region received slightly above normal rainfall. However, the rest of South Texas received below to well below normal rainfall during the month. Rainfall amounts were 1 to 2 inches below normal over the Coastal Bend, eastern Brush Country, and Victoria Crossroads. Only the area from extreme eastern Refugio County into Calhoun County received 1 to 2 inches above normal.
The severe drought persisted over southern portions of the Brush Country east into the Coastal Bend with exceptional drought expanding into Duval and San Patricio counties from the southern Coastal Bend. Extreme drought expanded northward into Live Oak, Bee, and Goliad Counties. The abundant rains from the previous months continued to sustain the northern portions of the Brush Country and the Victoria Crossroads region during the month of December.
Mandatory water restrictions continued during the month for the city of Corpus Christi as the combined lake capacity levels fell below 40 percent. The cities of Victoria and Laredo continued under voluntary water restrictions. Different stages of water restrictions continued for Beeville, Point Comfort, Alice, and King Ranch Santa Gertrudis District.
For the yearly rainfall totals across South Texas, a limited area from southern Victoria County through Calhoun County received above normal rainfall. Elsewhere, below normal to well below normal rainfall fell across the region. Some areas in the Coastal Bend received rainfall amounts of 12 to 18 inches below normal for the year.
The regions of the Coastal Bend suffered through exceptional drought for most of the year. The drought caused agricultural losses of around 277 million dollars for the South Texas region for 2012. The county with the worst loss was Nueces County with agricultural losses around 80 million dollars. Victoria and Calhoun Counties did not suffer any agricultural losses for 2012.

Drought in NUECES, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Exceptional drought continued over the western portion of the county.

Drought in KLEBERG, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Exceptional drought continued over the western portion of the county.

Drought in JIM WELLS, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Exceptional drought continued over all but the northwestern portion of the county.

Drought in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Exceptional drought developed over the western portion of the county.

Drought in DUVAL, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Exceptional drought developed over the southeastern portion of the county.

Drought in LIVE OAK, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Extreme drought developed over the southeastern portion of the county.

Drought in GOLIAD, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Extreme drought developed over the western portion of the county.

Drought in BEE, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Extreme drought developed over the county.

Drought in WEBB, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Extreme drought continued over the western portion of the county.

Drought in REFUGIO, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought developed over the western portion of the county.