Drought conditions remained nearly unchanged through the month of October. Severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought levels persisted over much of the region while exceptional (D4) conditions continued across the northwestern South Plains and a small portion of Stonewall County. Rainfall was extremely sparse throughout the month with near average temperatures.
The region was undergoing its transition from the warm season to the dry season. The entire month of October saw nearly zero rainfall. The exception was on the 12th where several supercells produced rainfall, large hail and tornadoes. Long term rainfall deficits remained big over a large portion of the area. Temperatures ended up near seasonal averages but there were wide ranges of temperatures throughout the month. Many record maximum and minimum temperature records were set. An early cold snap in the second week of October brought nearly the earliest first freeze dates. A strong cold front brought a widespread hard freeze on the 27th and 28th. Keetch-Byram Drought Index values worsened through the month. Values at the beginning of the month ranged anywhere from less than 200 over portions of the Rolling Plains to values between 500-600 over the western South Plains. By the end of the month, the maximum values between 500-600 remained unchanged but the Rolling Plains increased to between 200-300.
Agricultural impacts began to be realized during the month of October with harvesting underway. Irrigated fields were reporting near average yields but many lands were zeroed out by insurance adjusters. Winter wheat remained in good condition but needed rainfall to survive. The hard freeze experienced during the last week of the month resulted in plants and grassland transitioning into their dormant winter phase. Fire weather conditions increased with the curing and drying of grassland fuels but no significant wildfires were reported.
Economic losses due to drought through October since the drought began were estimated near $2.5 billion.

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

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

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

Drought in CASTRO, TEXAS
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

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

Drought in CROSBY, TEXAS
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

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

Drought in GARZA, TEXAS
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drought in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 50.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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