The encroaching drought situation in the Texas Panhandle is quickly becoming critical, says myplainview.com. The latest Water Weekly chart on soil moisture conditions, released Monday by the Texas Water Development Board, shows almost the entire Panhandle-South Plains region now under deficient soil moisture conditions.
A week ago, portions of only three Panhandle counties were classified as in a moderate drought. Now that number has risen to at least 14 counties. They are: Castro, Swisher, Briscoe, Lamb, Deaf Smith, Randall, Armstrong, Donley, Parmer, Bailey, Ochiltree, Lipscomb, Hemphill and Wheeler.
The High Plains Climate Region has only received a third of its normal rainfall this year. That makes this the 17th driest beginning in 123 years.
Three months ago, Texas was totally drought free.
