Long term drought conditions continued to keep rangelands grassless putting a strain on ranchers, which have been forced to supplement feed or sell off cattle. Soil moisture continued to be short to very short for portions of the combined Panhandles through October. These soil conditions slowed the planting of winter wheat for some areas in the more extreme to exceptional drought conditions.

Drought in GRAY, TEXAS
From 04-OCT-22 14:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Carson County started the month of Oct with Moderate Drought (D1) conditions. A continuing dry spell had the northwest corner of the county reclassified into Severe Drought (D2) within the first days. With only 1 to 2 of rain being received in northwest corner the D2 classification stayed through the end of the month. The rest of the county received 2 to 4 of rain and kept the classification of moderate drought.

Drought in HEMPHILL, TEXAS
From 04-OCT-22 14:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Hemphill County started the month of October with Abnormally Dry (D0) to Moderate Drought (D1) conditions. Within the first few days of the month conditions were reclassified in the north and far southeast to Severe Drought (D2) and stayed this way through the end of the month.  Much of the northeastern half of the county ended the month of October around an inch below normal while the southwest third to half end the month near normal for precipitation. The county remained in a 2 to 6 deficit year to date.

Drought in OLDHAM, TEXAS
From 04-OCT-22 14:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Oldham County started the month of October in Moderate Drought (D1). Continuing dryness had the entire county reclassified in Severe Drought (D2) within the first few days. A change in weather pattern brought some much needed rain to the southwest corner of the county into Deaf Smith County and portions of eastern New Mexico. The southwest corner ended up with 2 to 3 of rain during mid month. This allowed an improvement for southwest portions and a reclassification back into D1. The county continued a deficit of about 2 to 6 deficit year to date for areas in D2 at the end of the month.

Drought in POTTER, TEXAS
From 04-OCT-22 14:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Potter County started the month of October classified in Moderate Drought (D1).  A continuing dry spell had the entire county reclassified in Severe Drought (D2) within the first few days of the month. Multiple rounds of rain during the month added up to around 2 to 3 of rain being received in the southeast corner of the county. This brough some improvement and a reclassification into D1 by the end of the month. The county continued a 4 to 8 deficit year to date.

Drought in CARSON, TEXAS
From 04-OCT-22 14:00:00 to 31-OCT-22 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Carson County started the month of Oct with Moderate Drought (D1) conditions. Much of the southern portions of the county received upwards of 4 of rain over the month allowing the south to remain in D1. The north to northwestern half received closer to 2 during the month and saw conditions degrade with a reclassification into Severe Drought (D2) starting in the first few days and lasting through the end of the month.  A few localized areas have a rainfall surplus for the year while the rest of the county remained with a 2 to 6 deficit year to date.