Drought conditions during the month of March were largely unchanged although a slight worsening did occur in the U.S Drought Monitor. Swisher County joined Hall, Briscoe, Cottle, and Motley Counties with drought levels below D2 (Severe). The worst drought conditions persisted in the southwestern Texas panhandle and northwestern South Plains as well as the southern Rolling Plains.
Temperatures during the month of March varied from well below normal to much above normal with several systems affecting the area. Very little to no precipitation was recorded throughout the entire month. Both Lubbock and Childress recorded only a trace of precipitation. Most systems brought strong winds and dry weather to the region with only scattered precipitation. The time of year between winter and spring is within the climatological maximum for wildfire activity due to dry conditions. Keetch-Byram Drought Index values worsened from the beginning of the month due to the persistent lack of precipitation. By the end of March, values between 400 and 600 covered much of the South Plains and Rolling Plains. The southern Texas panhandle saw values ranging from 200-400 with the southwestern panhandle less than 200.
The effects of the lack of precipitation were beginning to show across the region. One significant wildfire was observed which rapidly spread from strong winds. Fuel conditions worsened although fuel load compared to the past two years is lower due to the drought. Dryland winter wheat crops that emerged in the fall of 2012 were reported to be in good condition but those that developed in the winter were rated to be poor due to the timing of precipitation in January and February. Precipitation that fell in the first couple months of the year improved rangeland and pastures but additional precipitation was needed to keep these lands in good conditions.
Economic losses due to drought through March since the drought began were estimated near $2.6 billion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drought in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 01-MAR-13 00:00:00 to 12-MAR-13 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

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