TEXAS DROUGHT- According to the latest figures from U.S. Drought Monitor, recent rains in Texas have made a dent in dry conditions throughout the state. Now, about 49 percent of Texas is experiencing some level of drought -- compared to 55 percent just a week ago.
Climatologist Brian Fuchs is with the National Drought Mitigation Center based in Nebraska. He explains what areas received some relief.
“A lot of that was confined to a lot of the Gulf Coast region, as well as the area along the Rio Grande, and also up in the Panhandle – these were the areas of the
state that during the last week picked up the most rain.”
Although parts of the Lone Star state did receive much needed relief, Fewks says dry conditions are getting worse in other areas. "Not everything in Texas has been improving to that extent. We did make some
changes this week as well is in the North Central part of the state where we did see some degradation as well as in far West Texas where again some of these precipitation events have missed out and the heat has definitely been kicking in.”
It's worth noting this time last year, just under 7 percent of Texas was experiencing some level of drought. Dry conditions not only affect farming, it increases chances for wildfires.
