Several widespread precipitation events during the month of August provided continued relief in drought conditions across the Texas Panhandle. Amarillo recorded 1.42 inches of precipitation for the month (1.49 inches below normal), Dalhart recorded 1.64 inches of precipitation (0.01 inch below normal), and Borger recorded 2.73 inches of precipitation (0.44 inch below normal). This August ranked as the 39th warmest and the 49th wettest August for the Texas High Plains region. The vast majority of the Texas Panhandle showed a one category improvement during the month of August with only Moore County remaining in Exceptional (D4) Drought rating. Extreme (D3) drought rating persists across the northwest Panhandle while Severe Drought rating affects the majority of the Texas Panhandle. The extreme southwestern Counties and eastern counties have dropped below Severe Drought rating for the month of August.
The widespread and frequent precipitation chances through the month of August have helped to both provided short-term relief and has helped to counteract some long-term drought impacts. The upper zone soil moisture across the majority of the Texas Panhandle has improved to greater than 40 percent full. For the second month in a row the increased moisture provided relief to farmers during a period of higher water demand by crops. The Palmer Drought Severity Index showed improvement during the month of August with the Texas Panhandle now rated as Severe Drought. Rangeland and Pastures continued to improve after the rains and cattle were in good condition as observed by the Texas Crop and Weather Report. Countywide burn bans were supported in Moore, Potter, and Armstrong Counties.
Reservoirs and stream flows across the Panhandle have improved to normal or much above normal levels. The reservoirs of Palo Duro and Greenbelt Lake are both below 15 percent capacity with Lake Meredith at zero percent capacity. On the 7th, Lake Meredith reached a record low depth of 26.14 feet. Water watches for several public water systems persisted through August while voluntary to mandatory mild water restrictions have been enacted.
Economic losses due to the drought through August were estimated near $5 million (D2)/$10 million (D3)/$15 million (D4) a county, and were predominately the result of delayed growth of corn and cotton, marginal supplemental watering, reduction of cattle herd sizes, and supplemental feed for cattle in pastures and rangeland.

Drought in CARSON, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.

Drought in ARMSTRONG, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.

Drought in DONLEY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.

Drought in MOORE, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 15.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.

Drought in DALLAM, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 12.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.

Drought in HARTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 9.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.

Drought in SHERMAN, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 9.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.

Drought in HANSFORD, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.

Drought in OCHILTREE, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.

Drought in HUTCHINSON, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.

Drought in ROBERTS, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.

Drought in OLDHAM, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.

Drought in POTTER, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-13 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought as shown by the US Drought Monitor.