Drought Information Statement for West Texas & Southeast New Mexico Valid 04/02/2025 Issued By: WFO Midland/Odessa Contact Information: sr-maf.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated May 02, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/maf/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. U.S. Drought Monitor Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EST March 27th. DROUGHT CONDITIONS UNCHANGED FOR WEST TEXAS AND SE NM. Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): All of Culberson, Jeff Davis, Brewster, and Presidio Counties. Portions of Reeves, Pecos, and Terrell counties. D3 (Extreme Drought): Much of Eddy County and extending southward along the Pecos River Valley. D2 (Severe Drought): Much of the Permian Basin and Lea County. D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of Lea County and the Permian Basin. D0: (Abnormally Dry): None Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. A one class degradation change was made across most of the Permian Basin. No changes were made across the rest of the region. Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor 1-week change map valid 8am EST March 25th. Precipitation Well below normal precipitation has been seen over the last month with the small exception of portions along the Rio Grande. However, overall rain amounts are not enough to have changed drought severity. Image Captions: Left - Precipitation Amount for West Texas and SE NM Right - Percent of Normal Precipitation for West Texas and SE NM Data Courtesy High Plains Regional Climate Center. Data over the past 30 days ending March 31, 2024 Temperature Temperatures have been anywhere from 2 to 6 degrees above normal areawide over the past month. Combine that warming temperatures for Spring and any moisture that does make its way into the area can be wicked away quite quickly. Image Captions: Left - Average Temperature Right - Departure from Normal Temperature Data Courtesy High Plains Regional Climate Center. Data over the past 30 days ending March 31, 2024 Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Most area rivers and tributaries remain near baseflow. Area reservoirs are at 57.8% conservation capacity. See next page for more details. Agricultural Impacts Per Agrilife Texas A&M Crop and Weather Report, corn planting began and should be complete soon. Without significant rain, irrigated cotton acres could be reduced again this season. Alfalfa and pecans were watered. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire weather impacts will be low to moderate for February. Fuels remain in good condition thanks to continued low level moisture. However, windy(and continued dry) conditions will cure fuels and lead to elevated to near critical fire weather conditions at times. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts The Colorado and Delaware River Basins are normal. All other river and tributary basins are below normal to low. Midland Monthly Hydrology Report for February - https://www.weather.gov/media/maf/hydro/monthlyreports/E5/2025%20Reports/MAF_E-5_2025-02.pdf March Rainfall - https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=MAF&issuedby=MAF&product=HYM Image Caption: USGS 7 day streamflows for Texas, valid 31 March 2025 Reservoir Pool Elevation Current Elevation % Full JB Thomas 2258.00 2236.39 38.9 Colorado City 2070.20 2063.20 69.8 Champion Creek 2083.00 2064.56 47.0 Natural Dam Salt Lake 2457.00 2447.28 48.4 Moss Creek 2337.00 2332.30 80.0 Brantley 3256.70 3253.83 88.0 Avalon 3177.40 3174.63 50.0 Red Bluff 2827.40 2812.90 40.2 Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture continues to rank below the 5th-10th percentiles across much of West Texas with a large portion near the 1st or driest percentile. Crop moisture remains excessively dry for West Texas. Image Captions: Left: CPC Calculated Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile valid Mar 31, 2025 Right: Crop Moisture Index by Division. Weekly value for period ending Oct 26, 2024 Fire Hazard Impacts The potential for significant fires across the region is near normal heading into April and May as dry and windy conditions continue. Image Caption: Significant Wildland Fire Potential Monthly Outlook for May 2025 Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center:https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/month1_outlook.png Latest TX Burn Ban map available here: https://tfsfrp.tamu.edu/wildfires/decban.png Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Some precipitation will be possible towards the end of the coming week, particularly across southeast New Mexico and the Permian Basin. However, more consistently timed and wetting rains will be needed to truly improve drought conditions. Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid Wednesday Apr 02 to Wednesday Apr 09 Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The outlook for April shows more of the same. Drought continuing to persist or even expand for parts of the area. This does not mean there will be no precipitation, but that consistent rainfall is not expected in amounts great enough to improve the drought. Image Caption: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Released 03 31, 2025 valid for 04 2025