Overall drought conditions continued to improve over the area with many areas continuing the wet period from May and June. However, the second half of the month saw drier conditions. The most significant improvement was observed over the extreme southwestern Texas Panhandle where drought levels improved to moderate (D1) conditions. The South Plains generally saw severe (D2) drought conditions while the Rolling Plains observed extreme (D3) conditions. A portion of Cottle and King Counties continued to experience exceptional (D4) drought conditions.
The wet weather observed in May and June continued through the first week in July but dry conditions then dominated the rest of the month. A significant rainfall event occurred on the second and third of July across the extreme southwestern Texas Panhandle where between four and six inches were observed or estimated from radar. A cooperative weather observer in Hart (Castro County) observed 5.35 inches. This is where the greatest improvement to the drought was realized. Elsewhere, scattered rainfall throughout the month kept monthly precipitation values near or above normal with the exception of the southern South Plains. The normal and above normal moisture kept temperatures below seasonal averages for the month. Lubbock and Childress saw their mean temperatures 1.3 degrees and 2.8 degrees below average, respectively. Keetch-Byram Drought Index Values remained about the same as June with the exception of the southern South Plains. Widespread values between 200 and 400 were observed over much of the area with values between 400 and 500 over the South Plains. The southern South Plains saw values between 500 and 700 with isolated values less than 200 over the extreme southern Texas Panhandle.
Green fuels and near normal moisture have kept fire concerns low through mid summer as is usually the case. The hot and dry weather that returned in July has caused area farmers to begin irrigating crops again. The lack of moisture had put the development of much of the cotton crop behind schedule. Area reservoirs dropped through July with the lack of widespread rainfall. White River Lake was the only reservoir to rise.
Economic losses due to drought through July since the drought began were estimated near $3 billion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drought in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 08-JUL-14 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CASTRO, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 08-JUL-14 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LAMB, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 08-JUL-14 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in PARMER, TEXAS
From 01-JUL-14 00:00:00 to 08-JUL-14 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor