The continuation of unseasonably warm to hot temperatures, limited rainfall, and periodic low afternoon humidity especially west of Interstate Highway 69C (from central Hidalgo through eastern Brooks County) allowed drought to worsen, with much of Zapata County reaching the highest value (D4, Exceptional) by March 17th. Impacts continued on crop planting (delayed) and cattle hydration (water hauling) as triple-digit heat occurred before the end of the month.  Falcon International Reservoir also noted early-season drops in water capacity due to the unusually high evaporation rates at the start of meteorological spring.

Drought in SOUTHERN HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS
From 17-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme (D3) Drought would expand to cover the western half of southern Hidalgo County on March 17th.  A local heavy rain event  of more than 4 inches near McCook (northwestern corner) late on March 20th would briefly reduce drought by one category (to Severe, or D2) in the northwest corner of the area on March 24th, which would continue through the end of the month.  The worsening conditions overall forced many dryland crops to a delayed spring planting.

Drought in NORTHERN HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS
From 17-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme (D3) Drought would expand to cover all but the eastern sliver of northern Hidalgo County on March 17th.  A local heavy rain event  of more than 4 inches near McCook (southwestern portion) late on March 20th would briefly reduce drought by one category (to Severe, or D2) in the southwest corner of the area on March 24th, which would continue through the end of the month.  The worsening conditions overall forced many dryland crops to a delayed spring planting.

Drought in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 17-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme (D3) Drought would expand into southwestern Brooks County on March 17th, and continue through the end of the month.  The rest of the county would remain at Extreme (D2) Drought, with the exception of a small sliver in the east-center portion of the county, which held at Moderate (D1) drought due to just enough rainfall from occasional rains that stretched into Kenedy County.

Drought in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 17-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional (D4) Drought developed in extreme western Jim Hogg County, with Extreme (D3) Drought expanding into all but the northeast sliver of the county on March 17th.  D3 would cover that area as well - all courtesy of much above average temperatures, little to no rainfall, and periods of low afternoon humidity. Anecdotal evidence from the USDA Farm Services Extension office in Edinburg suggested continue water hauling for cattle ranches in the county.

Drought in ZAPATA, TEXAS
From 17-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Exceptional (D4) Drought developed in all but the extreme southern corner of Zapata County and northwest section (north of San Ygnacio) on March 17th, and would continue through month's end, expanding to all but the northwest corner which remained at Extreme (D3) levels.