The month of March did not see nearly as much improvement as seen during February, but scattered precipitation events allowed for a slight improvement for the Texas Panhandle. Exceptional (D4) drought continue to only affect Dallam County, Extreme (D3) drought affects most of the extreme northern Texas Panhandle, and Severe (D2) drought affects the southwestern Texas Panhandle and Hemphill County.
The Texas Panhandle would have been lucky to receive another month of above normal precipitation as seen in February, but the few precipitation events that occurred fell well short of making the average mark. Amarillo recorded 0.15 inches of precipitation for March (1.24 inches below normal), Dalhart recorded 0.06 inches (1.11 inches below normal), and Borger recorded 0.29 inches of precipitation (1.12 inches below normal).
Limited dormant fuels remain in prime condition for the spread of fires across the Panhandle despite scattered precipitation during March. However, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index showed areas of improvement and areas of degradation for the Texas Panhandle. The northern and western potions of the Texas Panhandle fall 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 only encompasses Roberts County. Countywide burn bans remain in effect for all of the Texas Panhandle except for Hansford, Roberts, Oldham, Gray, Wheeler, and Deaf Smith Counties.
The increased moisture during the previous month and scattered moisture from March 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. The Palmer Drought Severity Index stayed steady state in the Moderate Drought rating 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 at zero percent capacity. Water watches for several public water systems persisted through March while voluntary to mandatory mild water restrictions have been enacted.
Economic losses due to the drought through March were estimated near $5 million (D2)/$15 million (D3)/$25 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-MAR-13 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 25.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

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

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

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

Drought in SHERMAN, 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 MOORE, 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 ROBERTS, 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 HEMPHILL, 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 OLDHAM, 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 DEAF SMITH, 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 RANDALL, 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 POTTER, 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