The month of September brought periods of monsoonal flow and as a result saw several precipitation events across the Texas Panhandle. Amarillo recorded 1.83 inches of precipitation for the month (0.04 inch below normal), Dalhart recorded 1.64 inches of precipitation (0.01 inch below normal), and Borger recorded 2.26 inches of precipitation (0.12 inch below normal). This September ranked as the 16th warmest and the 56th driest September for the Texas High Plains region. Several heavy rain events during the month led to the Texas Panhandle seeing a 1 category improvement for the second month in a row. Portions of the northwest Texas Panhandle remain in Extreme (D3) Drought rating while the western half of the Texas Panhandle has improved to Severe (D2) Drought rating. The remainder of the Texas Panhandle has dropped below Severe (D2) Drought rating.
The multiple heavy rain events during the month of September continued to provide relief to farmers across the Panhandle as upper zone soils have improved to greater than 100 percent of normal, and deeper soil zones ranging from 50 to 100 percent of normal. Farmers have been able to shutoff irrigation systems to allow corn and cotton crops to dry before harvest and some farmers have begun to plant winter wheat, as observed by the Texas Crop and Weather Report. The Palmer Drought Severity Index rates the Texas Panhandle at Extreme Drought due to the impact from the long range drought from the past three years. Countywide burn bans continue to be supported in Moore, Roberts, Hemphill, Wheeler, Potter, and Armstrong Counties.
Reservoirs and stream flows across the Panhandle have remained at near normal flow with short term rises to action and minor flood stages during heavy precipitation periods during the month. The reservoirs of Palo Duro and Greenbelt Lake are both below 15 percent capacity with Lake Meredith at zero percent capacity. Water watches for several public water systems persisted through September while voluntary to mandatory mild water restrictions have been enacted.
Economic losses due to the drought through September were estimated near $2 million (D2)/$5 million (D3)/$10 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 DALLAM, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-13 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 4.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought as shown on the Drought Monitor.

Drought in HARTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-13 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 4.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought as shown on the Drought Monitor.

Drought in MOORE, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-13 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 4.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme drought as shown on the Drought Monitor.

Drought in SHERMAN, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-13 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 2.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Moderate drought as shown on the Drought Monitor.

Drought in POTTER, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-13 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 2.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Moderate drought as shown on the Drought Monitor.

Drought in HANSFORD, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-13 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 2.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Moderate drought as shown on the Drought Monitor.

Drought in HUTCHINSON, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-13 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 2.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Moderate drought as shown on the Drought Monitor.

Drought in CARSON, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-13 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 2.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Moderate drought as shown on the Drought Monitor.