Drought conditions across the South Plains, Rolling Plains and extreme southern Texas Panhandle worsened during the month of July. Childress and Hall Counties returned to Severe (D2) drought conditions while Extreme (D3) conditions expanded. Castro, Crosby and Garza Counties remained in Moderate (D1) drought conditions.
Temperatures were observed to be above normal with precipitation well below normal for most areas. There were only a few days that saw thunderstorm activity and this activity was only isolated. Year to date precipitation values were between 50 and 90 percent of normal for most of the region. A small part of the region consisting of southern Lubbock County, Lynn County, and western Garza County was between 100 and 150 percent of normal. July was 1.7 degrees and 3.3 degrees above seasonal averages for Lubbock and Childress respectively. Through the month of July, 2012 ties as the warmest year on record. Although maximum temperatures have been lower than 2011, minimum temperatures have been higher. Keetch-Byram Drought Index values worsened during July. Values between 600 and 700 were observed over the western South Plains and Rolling Plains with values of 500 to 600 elsewhere.
Irrigated crops struggled to keep up with water demands due to the lack of precipitation. Dryland crops were also struggling and were likely to fail within the next month. Pastures and rangelands were deteriorating rapidly with little to no grazing land left for cattle. Although wildfire activity was low, fuels were dry enough to sustain wildfires from lightning starts in July.
Economic losses due to drought through July since the drought began were estimated near $2.4 billion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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