The Houston area could see rain today.
There always seems to be a possibility of rain in the weather forecast, but it’s been a year of drought.
68% of the state is in stage D-3 to D-4, according to the national Drought Monitor. Their current report for southern states finds most of Texas and Oklahoma experiencing scarce rainfall with “periods of excessive heat. From south of the Red River Valley through most of Texas to the Deep South regions, few areas saw any measurable rainfall.” Memories of 2011's $7.5 billion looses in crops and livestock are being revived.
During the past 90 days, less than half of normal rainfall has been observed, equating to 3-month rainfall deficits of five-and-a-half inches or more across most of central and eastern Texas, with stretches of southeast Texas accumulating deficits up to ten inches. Most of the state is in extreme drought, some in D-4 exceptional drought, making for tough conditions for the state’s ranchers and farmers.
“In ag we’re resilient in all things that Mother Nature throws at us; drought is one thing we can sustain for a long period of time but we have hit our threshold,” says Cloe Wilson, head of Nunley Brothers Ranches in Sabinal west of San Antonio. The grass is gone and without rain nothing new is growing. Herds are being fed hay and protein cakes, and being thinned. Consumers will find the results in the meat aisle of grocery stores.
Texas is not the only state experiencing drought conditions, but it’s worse here than any other state.
We could see rain today.
photo: Getty Images