The dry spring pattern continued into the first half of April for the Texas Panhandle.  There were a few scattered rain events early in the month, though most areas measured less than 0.25 inches of rain through April 15th.  Several widespread rain events affected the Panhandle in the second half of the month, however; and most locations ended up receiving 2 to 3 inches of rain for April.  This beneficial rain eased drought conditions across the entire Panhandle. A mix of Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought conditions remained along a line from near Dalhart to near Clarendon.  Conditions across the rest of the Panhandle improved to a mix of mostly Moderate (D1) Drought  and Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions.  Amarillo recorded 2.97 inches of precipitation for the month (1.57 inches above normal), Dalhart recorded 1.30 inches of precipitation (0.22 inches above normal), and Borger recorded 4.40 inches of precipitation (2.86 inches above normal).
Soil moisture was rated from mostly adequate to short by the end of April.  Prior to the onset of spring rains, dry and windy weather had left most soil moisture rated as short.  The rain was too late to save winter wheat in the eastern Panhandle, though did help to ensure a good moisture profile for spring planting of summer crops across the area.  Rangeland and pasture improved throughout the month, though cattle herd sizes remained limited due to prolonged drought and high cattle prices.  Ranchers moved cattle to rangeland that had not been usable for several years.  Upper soil zones were mostly above 40 percent full by the end of April, with top soil in the driest areas in the 10 to 20 percent full range (moderate agriculturally dry).  Deeper soil ranged from 30 to 50 percent of normal in the northwestern Texas Panhandle to near 100 percent of normal across the southeastern Panhandle.  The Palmer Drought Severity Index indicated a rating of Near Normal conditions for the Texas Panhandle. Countywide burn bans were supported in several counties.
Frequent rainfall by the end of April caused streamflows across the Texas Panhandle to be near normal.  The reservoirs of Lake Meredith and Palo Duro were below 6 percent and 2 percent capacity respectively, and Greenbelt Lake was near 13 percent capacity.  Water watches for several public water systems persisted throughout the month while voluntary to mandatory mild water restrictions were continued.
Economic losses due to the drought through April were predominantly the result of losses in winter wheat and supplemental feed for cattle on drought-thinned rangeland and pastures.

Drought in RANDALL, TEXAS
From 01-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in DALLAM, TEXAS
From 01-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in ROBERTS, TEXAS
From 01-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in WHEELER, TEXAS
From 01-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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

Drought in SHERMAN, TEXAS
From 01-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 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-APR-15 00:00:00 to 30-APR-15 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

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