Drought conditions significantly improved by the end of May due to widespread and abundant rainfall during Memorial Day weekend. Most areas improved one to two drought levels by the end of the month. Most areas were in exceptional (D4) drought conditions at the beginning of the month. However, only a portion of Swisher, Briscoe, Cottle, and King Counties remained at this drought level. Elsewhere, drought levels ranged from severe (D2) to extreme (D3).
Almost no rainfall had occurred throughout the month of May until Memorial Day weekend. A slow moving, upper level closed low system persisted near the four corners region of the southwestern United States for several days. Widespread areas of 3 to 5 inches of rainfall occurred with more isolated pockets of 5 to 7 inches. The highest total for the event was 7.43 inches at Aiken (Floyd County). Other selected totals include 6.25 inches at Ralls (Crosby County), 6.07 inches at Slaton (Lubbock County), 5.80 inches at Floydada (Floyd County), 5.46 inches at Northfield (Motley County), and 5.23 inches at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (Lubbock County).  The annual total at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport was only 0.90 inches before Memorial Day weekend. By the end of May, Lubbock was only -0.08 inches below the annual average. Above average temperatures at the beginning of the month nearly evened out with cooler temperatures at the end of the month. The abundant rainfall kept temperatures well below seasonal averages after its occurrence. Lubbock was only 0.4 degrees above normal while Childress was 1.3 degrees above normal. Keetch-Byram Drought Index values significantly improved. Widespread values between 300 and 500 were observed. The only exception was over the Rolling Plains where values of 500 to 600 were observed.
Fire weather impacts eased tremendously because of the rainfall and will remain this way until repeated drying winds lead back to curing once again. Fuels immediately responded to the rainfall by greening up. Soil moisture profiles moistened significantly to the 30 inch depth in many areas. The rainfall came at an opportune time for crops and livestock production. Pastures and range lands greatly improved along with a reduction in supplemental feed for livestock.
Economic losses due to drought through May since the drought began were estimated near $3 billion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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