January saw nearly stagnant drought conditions with only a slight expansion. The entire area remained in severe (D2) drought or worse except for Hall and Bailey Counties.
The month of January saw unusually cool temperatures on average across the entire region. Most of the month was characterized by a blocking upper ridge over the West Coast preventing most arctic air intrusions. However, when arctic air did make it as far south as West Texas, temperatures were well below seasonal averages. This marks the third consecutive month of below normal temperatures. Because of the blocking ridge, almost no precipitation was measured during the month with several sites not even measuring a trace of precipitation. January is normally a dry month with precipitation averages ranging from 0.50 to 0.75 inches. With dry but cool conditions, Keetch-Byram Drought Index Values remained unchanged. Values were generally between 400 and 500.
Of the few days during January that were above normal on temperatures, fire weather conditions reached critical levels. Fuels considerably dried out through the month with Energy Release Component (ERC) values exceeding the 90th percentile for this time of year. The region is entering the peak of the wildfire season in the upcoming months. Dry land crops struggled through January with no precipitation. Irrigated crops were in good condition. The unusually cold weather stressed livestock and supplemental feed was expected to be needed into the summer months.
Economic losses due to drought through January since the drought began were estimated near $3.0 billion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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