February brought both sporadic and widespread winter precipitation to the Texas Panhandle, which lead to a one drought category improvement for most of the region. Exceptional (D4) drought affects Dallam County. Extreme (D3) drought affects most of the northern Texas Panhandle. Severe (D2) drought affects the southwestern Texas Panhandle while the southeastern corner has dropped below the severe drought rating.
The late February blizzard produced the majority of the total precipitation for the month. Amarillo recorded 2.53 inches of precipitation for February (1.97 inches above normal), Dalhart recorded 0.63 inches (0.23 inches above normal), and Borger recorded 2.24 inches of precipitation (1.62 inches above normal). Overall this month ranked as the 48th coldest and 8th wettest February on record for the Texas High Plains region.
Limited dormant fuels remain in prime condition for the spread of fires across the Panhandle despite the recent precipitation. However, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index showed continued improvement for the Texas Panhandle. Only Dallam and Hartley Counties remaining within the 600 to 800 range while the majority of the area stayed within the 400 to 600 range. The 200 to 400 range now encompasses the entirety of the southeastern corner of the Texas Panhandle. Countywide burn bans remain in effect for all of the Texas Panhandle except for Hansford, Sherman, Hutchinson, Oldham, Casron, Gray, Wheller, and Deaf Smith Counties.
The increased moisture during the month helped the growth of dryland winter wheat and native grazing fields. Irrigated fields showed average growth with minor supplemental watering. Rangeland and pastures across the Texas Panhandle have remained in poor to very poor condition. However cattle have been able to graze on the winter wheat crops that have greened from the recent precipitation as observed by the Texas Crop and Weather Report. The Palmer Drought Severity Index showed marginal improvement to Moderate Drought for the Texas High Plains.
Reservoirs and stream flows across the Panhandles have remained at below normal levels with only a minor rise due to the recent precipitation. The reservoirs of Palo Duro and Greenbelt Lake are both below 13 percent capacity with Lake Meredith below 1 percent capacity. Water watches for several public water systems persisted through February while voluntary to mandatory mild water restrictions have been enacted.
Economic losses due to the drought through February were estimated near $5 million (D2)/$10 million (D3)/$20 million (D4) a county, and were predominately the result for poor growth of winter wheat, heavy supplemental watering, and supplemental feed for cattle in pastures and rangeland.

Drought in DALLAM, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 20.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as exceptional drought.

Drought in SHERMAN, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as extreme drought.

Drought in HANSFORD, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as extreme drought.

Drought in OCHILTREE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as extreme drought.

Drought in LIPSCOMB, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as extreme drought.

Drought in HEMPHILL, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as extreme drought.

Drought in HARTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 7.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as extreme drought.

Drought in MOORE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 10.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as extreme drought.

Drought in HUTCHINSON, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as severe drought.

Drought in ROBERTS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as severe drought.

Drought in OLDHAM, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as severe drought.

Drought in POTTER, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as severe drought.

Drought in CARSON, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as severe drought.

Drought in DEAF SMITH, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as severe drought.

Drought in RANDALL, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as severe drought.

Drought in ARMSTRONG, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Classified as severe drought.