The month of January was characterized by above normal temperatures and below normal to well below normal rainfall. The highest rainfall occurred over the Victoria Crossroads with minimal amounts over the southern Brush Country. Rainfall amounts ranged from 1/2 to 1 and 1/2 inches over northern portions of the Coastal Bend to the Victoria Crossroads, to less than a 1/10 of an inch over the southern Brush Country.
The exceptional drought continued over the Coastal Bend, Victoria Crossroads, and western Brush Country through January The drought status continued in the extreme
category over portions of the Brush Country in the counties of Webb, La Salle, McMullen, and Duval.  The rainfall deficits from normal for the month were generally 1 to 2 inches below normal with an area of 2 to 3 inches below normal along the coast from the northern Coastal Bend to the Mid-Coast.
Soil moisture improved slightly across the Victoria Crossroads and Mid-Coast regions during the month but still too low for planting. Range and pastures over the Brush Country were fair to poor with some ranchers resorting to prickly pear for additional supplemental feeding. Ranchers continued to cull herds.
The drought has also impacted the bays and estuaries as salinity levels continued to remain high. Due to the high salinity, many oyster beds along the Texas Gulf Coast have been closed impacting many businesses. Low to moderate concentrations of red tide continued to affect most areas along the coast. Some improvement was observed in the San Antonio and Espiritu Santo Bays by the end of the month.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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