September saw above normal precipitation for the western two thirds of the Texas Panhandle, but very little fell over the eastern third of the Panhandle.  Most areas measured at least 2 to 3 inches during the month, with isolated amounts in the southwest Texas Panhandle exceeding 5 inches.  Some areas in the eastern Panhandle measured less than one half an inch of rain.  All areas of Exceptional (D4) Drought improved due to frequent rain during the month.  Extreme (D3) Drought remained along a line from east of Dalhart to near Clarendon and in extreme eastern portions of the Panhandle.  Deaf Smith County to western Hartley County improved to a mix of Abnormally Dry (D0) to Moderate (D1) Drought conditions following the widespread heavy rain in those areas.  Otherwise, the remainder of the Panhandles were rated at Moderate (D1) to Severe (D2) Drought conditions. Amarillo recorded 4.16 inches of precipitation for the month (2.24 inches above normal), Dalhart recorded 1.55 inches of precipitation (0.10 inches below normal), and Borger recorded 1.82 inches of precipitation (0.56 inches below normal).
Soil moisture was rated mostly short to adequate during the month. Crops fared well during the month, and some development was even limited by too much rain and cloudiness.  Rangeland and pasture continued to improve in some areas, but cattle herd sizes remained limited due to prolonged drought.  Upper soil zones were mostly in the 10 to 30 percent full range, with locations in the eastern Panhandle generally drier.  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 where rainfall had been most frequent.  The Palmer Drought Severity Index indicated a rating of Moderate Drought to Near Normal conditions for the Texas Panhandle.  Countywide burn bans were supported in several counties.
Stream flows across the Texas Panhandle ranged from near normal to below normal during September.  The reservoirs of Lake Meredith and Palo Duro were below 5 percent and 3 percent capacity respectively, and Greenbelt Lake was below 13 percent capacity.  Water watches for several public water systems persisted through September while voluntary to mandatory mild water restrictions were continued.
Economic losses due to the drought through September were predominately the result of supplemental watering in the driest areas and supplemental feed for cattle on drought-thinned rangeland and pastures.

Drought in RANDALL, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-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-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in DONLEY, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in DALLAM, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in SHERMAN, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in HANSFORD, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in LIPSCOMB, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in HARTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in MOORE, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-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-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in ROBERTS, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in HEMPHILL, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in POTTER, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-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-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in GRAY, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in WHEELER, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in COLLINGSWORTH, TEXAS
From 01-SEP-14 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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