Drought conditions across the region slightly lessened through the month of July with an unusual weather pattern emerging toward the end of the month. Almost all areas remained within severe (D3) to exceptional (D4) drought. However, an extremely small pocket of moderate (D1) drought was observed over the northern Rolling Plains.
Much of the month of July saw typical hot and dry conditions with an upper level high pressure system controlling the southwestern United States. This upper level ridge brought hot temperatures and little rainfall. However, in the second half of the month, an unusual upper level low pressure system moved from east to west. This system brought cooler than seasonal average temperatures and much needed rainfall, and in some areas, excessive rainfall. In fact, Lubbock observed a record minimum high temperature for three consecutive days as well as daily rainfall records. Many areas received one to three inches of rainfall with some pockets observing four to six inches. Some selected sites recorded four day totals of 6.41 inches at Plainview (Hale County), 5.26 inches at Amherst (Lamb County), 5.09 inches at Denver City (Yoakum County), 4.55 inches at Sundown (Hockley County), and 3.13 inches at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (Lubbock County). Due to these excessively cool July temperatures, the mean temperature at the end of the month was below average by 1.1 degrees at Lubbock and 1.5 degrees at Childress. Keetch-Byram Drought Index values improved through the month because of the abundant rainfall. Values between 200 and 400 were observed over the southern Rolling Plains and southwest Texas Panhandle. Elsewhere across the South Plains and northern Rolling Plains, values were between 400 and 500.
Fire weather impacts were low which is usual during the summer months. Abnormally high dew point temperatures served to further reduce fire weather potential. Rainfall also produced modest greening across much of the region. The beginning of the month saw crops becoming stressed due to excessively hot temperatures. However, the copious rainfall allowed crops to progress during the second half of the month. Over the Rolling Plains, grasshoppers were taking a devastating toll on crops, trees, and shrubs.
Economic losses due to drought through July since the drought began were estimated near $2.8 billion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drought in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-13 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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