A mix of improved and worsened drought conditions occurred across the area throughout August. Scattered thunderstorm activity brought bouts of heavy rain for some areas, but others unfortunately missed out. Minor improvement took place in the far southwest Panhandle and northern South Plains, going from moderate (D1) drought to abnormally dry (D0) conditions. Portions of the South Plains, south and west of Lubbock, saw deterioration back into extreme (D3) conditions. Severe (D2) drought encompassed the remainder of the South Plains with mainly extreme (D3) conditions remaining in the Rolling Plains. A portion of Cottle into extreme Northeast King County continued to experience exceptional (D4) drought conditions.
Warmer and drier than average weather plagued the region through much of August, with only scattered thunderstorm activity occurring on select days. Lubbock and Childress experienced monthly average temperatures of 1.9 and 1.3 degrees above average, respectively. The most significant rainfall event took place on the 28th as a complex of thunderstorms developed, but this was mainly confined to areas east of the Caprock Escarpment where 1 to 2 inches of rainfall fell thus contributing to much if not all of the monthly rainfall total for many locations. Widespread Keetch-Byram Drought Index Values of 400-500 were in place by month's end with portions of the Southern South Plains and Rolling Plains approaching the 500-600 range. An area of 300-400 was in place in the Northern South Plains with locales in the Far Southwestern Panhandle near the 200-300 category.
Green fuels and normal to slightly above normal moisture values kept fire concerns low for the most part, although a few locations that missed out on any rainfall saw modest curing of grasses. The increased heat units this month helped cotton farmers and peanut producers, but dryland farmers relied heavily on irrigation with the lack of rainfall. An increase in lightning-induced wildfires occurred as well with the deteriorating rangeland. Area reservoirs saw further drops throughout the month.
Economic losses due to drought through August since the drought began were estimated near $3 billion.

Drought in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in BRISCOE, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CASTRO, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in COTTLE, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CROSBY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in DICKENS, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in FLOYD, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in GARZA, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HALE, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HALL, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in KENT, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in KING, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LAMB, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LYNN, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in MOTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in PARMER, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in STONEWALL, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in TERRY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in YOAKUM, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor