Extreme (D4) drought conditions were reduced over the western South Plains and southern Rolling Plains during the month of April. Extreme (D4) and exceptional (D3) drought conditions remain largely unchanged elsewhere across the area. Childress county had dropped down to moderate (D1) drought conditions. April was characterized by very warm temperatures but also many days of beneficial rainfall. April typically marks the end of the dry season and a transition to increasing precipitation.
Warmer than seasonal average temperatures were observed throughout the month and especially at the end of the month. The warmer than normal temperatures were especially noticeable with the observed minimum temperatures. Many areas saw the earliest last freeze dates on record. Additionally, the all time April record maximum temperature was broken at Lubbock and Childress on April 25th. Lubbock reached 104 degrees while Childress reached 106 degrees. The average temperature of 67.1 for the month at Lubbock tied a record while 68.7 at Childress broke the previous April record. Despite the record warmth, several instances of beneficial rainfall occurred during the month and especially during the final week of April. Some selected rainfall totals include 3.82 at Lake Alan Henry, 2.76 at Jayton, 2.42 at Post and 2.38 at Wolfforth. Even though widespread rainfall was observed, most areas remained below normal for annual precipitation values. Keetch-Byram Drought Index values were highest over the western South Plains which were from 600 to 700. The southern Rolling Plains saw values between 300 and 400. Elsewhere, values ranged from 400 to 600.
Meteorologically, the drought continues to ease, but significant impacts are still possible in terms of water supply and agriculture. April, which is typically the end of the fire weather season, saw almost no wildfire activity. However, many counties have kept burns bans in tact. During the month, the city of Lubbock instituted stage 2 water restrictions which ranges from stage 1 (mild water shortage conditions) to stage 4 (emergency water shortage conditions). Winter wheat was considered almost a total loss due to the drought and was being harvested for use as hay and silage. Additional rains were still needed to sustain pasture and rangelands for much of the area. The final work was being performed in preparation of May planting with observed increases in soil moisture.
Economic losses due to drought through April since the drought began were estimated near $2.4 billion.

Drought in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CASTRO, TEXAS
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CROSBY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in GARZA, TEXAS
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 50.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in LYNN, TEXAS
From 01-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-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-APR-12 00:00:00 to 30-APR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency