Drought conditions slightly improved through the month of September largely due to beneficial rainfall toward the end of the month. However, much of this rainfall only brought short term drought relief. Severe drought (D2) replaced a large portion of the extreme drought (D3) over the Rolling Plains and eastern South Plains. Elsewhere, extreme and exceptional (D4) drought persisted.
The first and last part of the month brought above average temperatures but the middle of the month saw a wet and cool period. Scattered to widespread rainfall encompassed much of the Rolling Plains mid-month and brought generally one to two inches of rainfall. A larger more widespread area of rain came toward the end of the month as tropical moisture streamed into the area via the Pacific Ocean from tropical storm Miriam. Although most rainfall from this system was south of the South Plains, rainfall amounts ranged from one half inch in the southwestern Texas panhandle to a maximum of four to five inches over the Rolling Plains. Rainfall amounts were not enough to ease long term drought conditions as 18 to 24 month rainfall remained in a high deficit. Keetch-Byram Drought Index values greatly improved by the end of September because of the abundant rainfall. Highest values were observed across the southwestern Texas panhandle between 500-600. The South Plains saw values between 400-500 while the Rolling Plains generally were observed at 300-400. A small pocket of values less than 200 existed across the southeastern Texas panhandle.
Agricultural yields slightly improved due in large part to the recent rainfall as cotton harvesting was beginning toward the end of September. Despite this, a low dryland cotton yield is expected. Irrigated cotton was performing better but still not considered well. Late planted cotton was in fair to good condition but early planted cotton was starting to be disastered-out for insurance. Winter wheat was planted after the rainfall in hopes that it would quickly grow. Wildfire activity was very low with the region still in a climatological minimum for wildfires.
Economic losses due to drought through September since the drought began were estimated near $2.4 billion.

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

Drought in BRISCOE, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in COTTLE, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in DICKENS, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in FLOYD, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in GARZA, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HALE, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HALL, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in KENT, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in KING, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LAMB, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in MOTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in PARMER, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in STONEWALL, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in TERRY, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in YOAKUM, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-12 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor