The wet summer pattern continued through July for most of the Texas Panhandle, with most locations measuring at least 2 to 4 inches of rain for the month. Some parts of the Panhandle received greater than 6 inches of rain, or greater than twice the monthly average for July. A band of Exceptional (D4) Drought remained from Carson County northwestward to eastern Dallam County. Most of Deaf Smith County improved to Moderate (D1) Drought by the end of July. Otherwise, the remainder of the Panhandles ranged from Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought. Amarillo recorded 1.82 inches of precipitation for the month (1.02 inches below normal), Dalhart recorded 2.15 inches of precipitation (0.64 inches below normal), and Borger recorded 3.17 inches of precipitation (0.55 inches above normal).
Soil moisture was rated from short to adequate during the month. Crops were mostly benefiting from the rains, but were running behind in areas that were too wet or too dry. A dry end to the month increased drought stress on some crops. Rangeland and pasture continued to improve, but cattle herd sizes remained limited due to prolonged drought. Upper soil zones were mostly in the 10 to 30 percent full range, with a few locations much better or much worse. Deeper soil moisture was still below normal in much of the Texas Panhandle, but values were estimated to be greater than 150 percent of normal across some areas. The Palmer Drought Severity Index indicated a rating of Moderate Drought conditions for the Texas Panhandle. Countywide burn bans were supported in several counties.
Stream flows across the Texas Panhandle were near normal throughout July. The reservoirs of Lake Meredith and Palo Duro were below 4 percent capacity, and Greenbelt Lake was below 13 percent capacity. Water watches for several public water systems persisted through July while voluntary to mandatory mild water restrictions were continued.
Economic losses due to the drought through July were predominately the result of supplemental watering in the driest areas and supplemental feed for cattle on drought-thinned rangeland and pastures.

Drought in DALLAM, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-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-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in HANSFORD, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought (D3) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in OCHILTREE, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought (D3) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in LIPSCOMB, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought (D3) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in HARTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought (D3) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in HUTCHINSON, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-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-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought (D3) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in HEMPHILL, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought (D3) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in OLDHAM, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought (D2) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in CARSON, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-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-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-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-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought (D3) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in DEAF SMITH, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought (D2) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in RANDALL, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe Drought (D2) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in ARMSTRONG, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought (D3) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in DONLEY, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought (D3) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in COLLINGSWORTH, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought (D3) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in POTTER, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme Drought (D3) as depicted on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought in MOORE, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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