A dry spring pattern continued through April for the Texas Panhandle, with most areas receiving less than one inch of precipitation during the month. Short-term deficits worsened especially in the western Panhandle, where less than one quarter of an inch fell.  In what should have been the start to the growing season, precipitation ranged from less than 5% to near 50% of normal through the month.  Long-term precipitation deficits going back to October 2010 matched or were worse than similar periods in the 1930s and 1950s droughts of record.  By the end of April, Exceptional (D4) Drought conditions expanded to cover all of the Texas Panhandle.  Amarillo recorded 0.57 inches of precipitation for the month (0.83 inches below normal), Dalhart recorded 0.11 inches of precipitation (0.97 inches below normal), and Borger recorded 0.13 inches of precipitation (1.41 inches below normal).
Soil moisture was rated mostly very short by month's end.  High winds and dried out soils led to continued blowing dust problems in some areas.  Farmers prepared for spring planting while much of the winter wheat crop was zeroed out by crop insurance adjusters.  Winter wheat under irrigation did well and was used as a forage for cattle where available.  Rangeland remained dormant, and producers were still supplementing cattle or reducing herd sizes.  Upper soil zones remained at extremely dry levels in the Panhandle, ranging from less than 1 percent full in parts of the western Panhandle to between 5 and 10 percent full in parts of the eastern Panhandle.  Deeper soil moisture was mostly less than 30 percent of normal.  The Palmer Drought Severity Index indicated a a rating of Severe Drought conditions for the Texas Panhandle. Countywide burn bans were supported in most counties.
Stream flows across the majority of the Panhandle were at below normal to much below normal levels, causing Moderate to Severe Hydrologic Drought. The reservoirs of Palo Duro and Greenbelt Lake were below 4 percent and 14 percent capacity respectively, and Lake Meredith was at zero percent capacity. Water watches for several public water systems persisted through April while voluntary to mandatory mild water restrictions have been enacted.
Economic losses due to the drought through April were predominately the result of supplemental watering, winter wheat losses, reduction of cattle herd sizes, and supplemental feed for cattle on drought-thinned rangeland and pastures.

Drought in HANSFORD, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in HARTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in HEMPHILL, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in HUTCHINSON, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in LIPSCOMB, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in MOORE, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in OCHILTREE, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in OLDHAM, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in POTTER, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in RANDALL, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in ROBERTS, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in SHERMAN, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in WHEELER, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in ARMSTRONG, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in CARSON, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in COLLINGSWORTH, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in DALLAM, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in DEAF SMITH, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in DONLEY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in GRAY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional Drought (D4) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.