The dry spring pattern continued through most of May across the Texas Panhandle before an abrupt change to a wet pattern over Memorial Day weekend.  Prior to the start of the rainy weather, many locations across the Texas Panhandle were experiencing 3 to 4 year precipitation deficits rivaling those of the worst periods during the 1930s Dust Bowl and 1950s droughts of record.  By the end of May though, some areas recorded greater than 150 percent of normal precipitation for the month.  Short-term dryness continued in the northern and eastern Texas Panhandle.  Widespread Exceptional (D4) Drought conditions at the start of May improved to a mix of Extreme (D3) and Exceptional Drought conditions at the end of the month.  Amarillo recorded 3.55 inches of precipitation for the month (1.26 inches above normal), Dalhart recorded 1.55 inches of precipitation (0.69 inches below normal), and Borger recorded 1.74 inches of precipitation (1.43 inches below normal).
Soil moisture was rated from very short to adequate by the end of May, though soils were dry for most of the month before the onset of the rainy pattern.  Farmers were rushing to plant summer crops, while most winter wheat had either been lost due to spring dryness or was being harvested.  Rangeland quickly greened up following the rain, though range and pastures continued to be rated mostly in poor condition following several years of drought.  Upper soil zones ranged from less than 10 percent full early in the month to mostly greater than 40 percent full at the end of the month.  Deeper soil moisture was still below normal, though it was estimated to be near normal in parts of the southwestern Texas Panhandle.  The Palmer Drought Severity Index indicated a rating of Severe Drought conditions for the Texas Panhandle.  Countywide burn bans were supported in several counties.
Stream flows across the southern Texas Panhandle were near normal, but stream flows across the northern Texas Panhandle were below normal.  The reservoirs of Palo Duro and Greenbelt Lake were below 3 percent and 14 percent capacity respectively, and Lake Meredith was at zero percent capacity.  Water watches for several public water systems persisted through May while voluntary to mandatory mild water restrictions have been enacted.
Economic losses due to the drought through May 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 ARMSTRONG, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-14 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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