The combination of above normal temperatures during the first week of the month, followed by a cooler but very dry period during the second week, with a return to much above normal temperatures for the start of the third week - all with little to no rainfall - worsened drought across all of Deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley through mid March. By mid March, impacts to cattle were being noted with additional water hauling necessary to help hydration, and a number of crops were not yet planted with the lack of needed rainfall combined with exceptionally high evaporation rates for early March.

Drought in WILLACY, TEXAS
From 03-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe (D2) Drought arrived in Willacy County on March 3rd, and would continue through month's end.  Just enough rainfall fell at various times during the period to keep this condition as status quo, despite near record monthly heat.

Drought in INLAND KENEDY COUNTY, TEXAS
From 03-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe (D2) Drought arrived in southern Kenedy County on March 3rd, and would develop in northern Kenedy County on March 17th. Central Kenedy County would remain in moderate (D1) Drought, courtesy of showers that moved through the region, keeping status quo while rain missed the northern third of the county.  Just enough rainfall fell at various times during the period in southern Kenedy County to keep Severe Drought as status quo, despite near record monthly heat.

Drought in COASTAL CAMERON, TEXAS
From 03-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 30-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe (D2) Drought arrived in Cameron County on March 3rd, and would continue through March 30th due to a combination of mainly much above average temperatures and limited rainfall - all which contributed to high evaporation rates for this time of year. Similar conditions prevailed along the coast.

Drought in SOUTHERN HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS
From 03-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 16-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe (D2) drought expanded into southern Hidalgo County on March 3rd, and would continue through March 16th. Impacts on dryland crops (not planted) and cattle (additional water hauling) became more acute by mid-month with the lack of rain and near record heat overall.

Drought in STARR, TEXAS
From 03-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 23-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme (D3) Drought conditions expanded to cover all of Starr County on March 3rd, and would continue through March 16th. Reports from the USDA Farm Service Extension office in Edinburg mentioned an increase in water hauling for cattle on ranches across the county by the end of the period.

Drought in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 03-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 16-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme (D3) Drought conditions expanded to cover all but the northeast corner of Jim Hogg County (which remained at Severe (D2) levels) on March 3rd; these conditions would continue through March 16th.

Drought in ZAPATA, TEXAS
From 03-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 16-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Extreme (D3) Drought conditions expanded to cover all of Zapata County on March 3rd; these conditions would continue through March 16th.

Drought in COASTAL KENEDY COUNTY, TEXAS
From 03-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe (D2) Drought arrived in southern Kenedy County on March 3rd, and would develop in northern Kenedy County on March 17th. Central Kenedy County would remain in moderate (D1) Drought, courtesy of showers that moved through the region, keeping status quo while rain missed the northern third of the county.  Just enough rainfall fell at various times during the period in southern Kenedy County to keep Severe Drought as status quo, despite near record monthly heat. This included coastal sections of the county.

Drought in COASTAL WILLACY, TEXAS
From 03-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe (D2) Drought arrived in Willacy County on March 3rd, and would continue through month's end.  Just enough rainfall fell at various times during the period to keep this condition as status quo, despite near record monthly heat.  Conditions were similar along the coast.

Drought in CAMERON, TEXAS
From 03-MAR-20 00:00:00 to 30-MAR-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Severe (D2) Drought arrived in Cameron County on March 3rd, and would continue through March 30th due to a combination of mainly much above average temperatures and limited rainfall - all which contributed to high evaporation rates for this time of year.