Some light rain and snow fell during the month of February. However, several high wind days dried the moisture right out. Soil moisture remained short to very short across the combined Oklahoma, and Texas Panhandle. The dryness of the soils and the high winds made it difficult to plant wheat as fields were blown out. A lot of farmers were having to replant despite having low expectations. As pastures and rangelands remained in dire straights, ranchers had to continue to supplementally feed livestock. With very dry soils the high winds also caused issues with blowing dust, especially across the northern and western combined Panhandles. Several high wind events caused some dust storms with visibilities dropping to below a quarter of a mile. There were even some automobile accidents and road closures due to the low visibility from blowing dust.

Drought in BEAVER, OKLAHOMA
From 01-FEB-23 01:00:00 to 28-FEB-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Beaver County started the month of February with the northeast corner of the county in Exceptional Drought (D4) with the rest of the county in Extreme Drought (D3). There was a wide range of total precipitation through the month with some small areas receiving as little as 0.01 with some small areas receiving just below and inch of liquid. The majority of the area received less than 0.25 of precipitation. Overall deficits continued with not much changing in drought status other than the far northern portion of the county slipping into D4.

Drought in TEXAS, OKLAHOMA
From 01-FEB-23 00:01:00 to 28-FEB-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

The vast majority of Texas County started the month of Feb in Exceptional Drought (D4). The exception being the southeastern quarter of the county and a tiny area in the southwestern corner that were in Extreme Drought (D3). Within the first week the southwest corner joined the rest of the county in D4. By the end of the month the southeastern area of D3 shrunk dramatically as D4 continued to over take remaining areas of the county. Most of the county received less than 0.25 of liquid precipitation during the month. The county continued to remain in a prolong dry period with a large part of the southern portion received less than 10 of rain last year, with the rest of the county receiving less than 15 last year. The majority of the county had received less than half an inch of moisture over Jan and Feb prolonging a 8 to 12 deficit over the last 365 days.

Drought in CIMARRON, OKLAHOMA
From 01-FEB-23 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Cimarron County started the month of Feb with the western half of the county in Severe Drought (D2). The eastern half was in Extreme Drought (D3) with a small portion of the northeast corner in Exceptional Drought (D4). With the county receiving less than half an inch of moisture the county continued to remain parched. The area of D2 shrunk, with only a portion of the southwest remaining in D2 as D3 continued to expand. D4 conditions expanded to encompass almost the whole eastern half of the county by months end as well. The area of D2 remained in a 2 to 6 deficit since last Feb, while the rest of the county remained in a 6 to 12 deficit dating back to Feb of last year.