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Issued at 1000 AM CDT Mon Jul 04 2022 235 WTPZ34 KNHC 041447 TCPEP4 BULLETIN Hurricane Bonnie Advisory Number 28 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP042022 1000 AM CDT Mon Jul 04 2022 ...BONNIE STRENGTHENING... ...BRINGING ROUGH SURF AND THREAT OF RIP CURRENTS TO PORTIONS OF THE COAST OF SOUTHERN MEXICO... SUMMARY OF 1000 AM CDT...1500 UTC...INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------- LOCATION...13.7N 99.0W ABOUT 230 MI...370 KM SSE OF ACAPULCO MEXICO MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...90 MPH...150 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 18 MPH...30 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...982 MB...29.00 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Interests along the southern and southwestern coasts of Mexico should monitor the progress of this system. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 1000 AM CDT (1500 UTC), the eye of Hurricane Bonnie was located near latitude 13.7 North, longitude 99.0 West. Bonnie is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph (30 km/h). A west- northwestward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected during the next few days. On the forecast track, the center of Bonnie is expected to move parallel to, but remain south of, the coasts of southern and southwestern Mexico during the next day or two. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 90 mph (150 km/h) with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is forecast today, followed by little overall change in intensity Tuesday and Wednesday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 982 mb (29.00 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- RAINFALL: The outer rain bands of Bonnie could cause areas of heavy rainfall during the next day or so across portions of southern and southwestern Mexico. SURF: Swells generated by Bonnie will affect portions of the coasts of southern and southwestern Mexico during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 400 PM CDT. $$ Forecaster Brown

...BONNIE STRENGTHENING... ...BRINGING ROUGH SURF AND THREAT OF RIP CURRENTS TO PORTIONS OF THE COAST OF SOUTHERN MEXICO... As of 10:00 AM CDT Mon Jul 4 the center of Bonnie was located near 13.7, -99.0 with movement WNW at 18 mph. The minimum central pressure was 982 mb with maximum sustained winds of about 90 mph.

SPC 1300Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0754 AM CDT Mon Jul 04 2022 Valid 041300Z - 051200Z ...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVER PARTS OF THE NORTHERN ROCKIES/PLAINS AND OVER PORTIONS OF THE MIDWEST AND GREAT LAKES REGIONS... ...SUMMARY... Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are expected over parts of the northern Rockies/Plains and over portions of the Midwest and Great Lakes regions this Independence Day. Large hail and damaging winds should be the main threats, with a tornado or two possible in the Midwest. ...Synopsis... The large-scale pattern in mid/upper levels will continue to feature mean troughing over northwestern North America, southward across the Pacific west of CA. Within that regime, a small cyclone is evident in moisture-channel imagery over the coastal Olympic Peninsula. This feature and is forecast to drift northeastward to southwestern BC and weaken through the period, while another low digs southeastward from the Gulf of Alaska and intensifies well offshore. Downstream ridging will strengthen in place over the central/ northern High Plains, despite being traversed by several weak vorticity maxima ejecting from the southwest-flow sector of the Northwest cyclone. Meanwhile, a slowly strengthening anticyclone will persist over the Mid-South, lower Mississippi Valley and central/western Gulf Coast States. East of the ridge, MCVs were evident in radar composites over southeastern ND, the southern SD/MN border area, and northwestern IA. With the middle/northern MCVs embedded in faster flow, these should align better as the day progresses. Most synoptic guidance accordingly (and reasonably) yields a coherent, negatively tilted shortwave trough from this phasing, with the perturbation reaching Lower MI and eastern Upper MI by 00Z. At the surface, 11Z analysis showed a cold front offshore from eastern NC, across southern NC and eastern TN, becoming a wavy warm front northwestward over central KY and southern IL to southern/ central MN. A secondary/developing warm front was drawn from central MN east-southeastward over southern WI and southwestern Lower MI, and should become the main warm front through the day in that region. This boundary should move northeastward over central portions of WI, Lake Michigan and western/southern Lower MI. An elongated/complex low-pressure area over the central Dakotas should consolidate through the day and move/redevelop eastward along the warm front to Lake Huron by the end of the period. A weak cold front should move southeastward out of the Dakotas to northern/ central NE and east-central/north-central WY before stalling. ...Upper Mississippi Valley/Great Lakes... Scattered to locally numerous thunderstorms are expected to shift across the area today and tonight, roughly from west to east. A mix of storm modes is expected, including the potential for a few supercells with the full range of severe hazards (gusts, hail, perhaps a tornado or two). Upscale evolution of afternoon convection into a wind-dominant MCS is possible this evening into tonight across portions of WI, Lake Michigan and Lower MI. If confidence increases in a more-specific track and timing for such a complex, a mesoscale concentration of greater probabilities may be needed in a future outlook update. Downstream from the mid/upper ridge, west-northwesterly to westerly flow aloft will orient slightly across the warm front, toward its cool side. However, with slow northward motion of the front, effectively the flow aloft will be front-parallel, helping to support convective growth/maintenance, as low-level theta-e advection and diurnal heating destabilize the convective inflow sector. This will occur amidst a regime of increases in large-scale ascent and vertical shear related to the approaching MCV-related shortwave trough. Forecast soundings show 35-50-kt effective-shear magnitudes and occasional areas of large hodographs with 300-400 J/kg effective SRH, in support of both supercellular and QLCS tornado potential. Meanwhile the area of clouds/precip now over southern MN/IA should move eastward and slowly break up, allowing increasing moisture south of the front, and pockets of favorable diabatic heating. Accordingly, MLCAPE values in the 1500-2000 J/kg range are possible west of Lake Michigan, decreasing with eastward extent into Lower MI where the preconvective air mass has less time to destabilize. Still, warm/moist advection may support surface-based effective- inflow parcels and a residual well-mixed boundary layer well into southern Lower MI tonight, supporting damaging to severe gust potential with any complex after crossing the lake. ...Northern Rockies/Plains... Despite weak height rises aloft, widely scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon into early evening -- initially over portions of western/southern MT and perhaps the Black Hills region. In those area, MLCINH will be preferentially reduced by diabatic heating of higher terrain. Seasonally strong mid/upper winds will support both favorable deep-layer shear and fast storm motions onto the northern Great Plains, and near a postfrontal moisture/instability axis over southern/western SD and south- central/southeastern MT. As that occurs, activity should offer severe gusts and hail, with a blend of supercellular and multicellular/bowing modes expected. Surface heating near the moist axis will yield steep low/middle- level lapse rates and a well-mixed boundary layer, beneath about 1000-1500 J/kg peak MLCAPE. Strong veering of winds with height will yield lengthy hodographs and 45-60 kt effective-shear magnitudes, supporting supercell potential. Some upscale clustering and cold-pool growth also may occur from eastern MT into the western Dakotas, with small-scale corridors of severe-gust potential aided by strong ambient flow aloft. ..Edwards/Goss.. 07/04/2022 Read more

The northern, western and eastern areas of South Texas remained very short on moisture, while soil moisture levels in southern areas were very short to short. Most areas remained dry. Temperatures were above normal with daytime highs around 100 degrees. Cattle producers were destocking due to drought and high input costs. Extreme heat was slowing down vegetable production. A high percentage of row crops were total losses in drier areas. Wildlife, including deer, turkey and feral pigs were browsing along roadsides and entering suburban-urban areas to feed on landscapes. Water sources for wildlife were becoming scarce. Water sources for livestock were declining in some areas and full in others. Producers continued to provide supplemental feed for livestock as rangeland and pasture conditions continued to decline. Sale barns reported above average cattle volumes and steady prices. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 24, 2022

Wheat and oat harvest in Southwest Texas neared completion with below average yields reported. Corn and sorghum were showing signs of drought stress due to lack of moisture and above average temperatures. Rangelands continued to experience dry condition with wildfire potential. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 24, 2022

Recent rains will give dryland farmers in the South Plains an opportunity to get cotton seeds to germinate if more rain arrives soon. Producers continued to make hard decisions regarding their cattle herds. Culling continued, and producers were planning to wean earlier to get cattle off feed. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 24, 2022

More rainfall was needed across East Texas to continue growth. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were short to adequate. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 24, 2022

Most Coastal Bend crops continued to show drought stress, despite recent rainfall of 2 inches. Rangeland and pasture conditions remained poor to fair. Producers continued to feed protein and hay, and hay prices were high as inventories decreased. Livestock producers continued to cull less valuable stock. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 24, 2022

Conditions were very hot and windy. A wildfire in Baylor and Wilbarger counties burned 25,000 acres. Cotton planting began on irrigated acres, but very little fieldwork was done overall. Planted corn and sorghum looked decent but needed rain. Pasture conditions were declining. Stocker cattle were being slowly pulled off pasture as resources were becoming scarce. Some wheat fields were cut and baled, and yields were 30% below normal. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 24, 2022

Record high temperatures continued in Central Texas with no precipitation. Soil moisture levels were mostly very short. Winter wheat and oat crops were mostly mature and dried down rapidly under the heat and windy conditions. The corn crop was well into silking stage and drought stressed. Sorghum was developing normally, but some replanted cotton was struggling in drier soils. Pasture conditions improved slightly, but rains were needed for hay production. Stock tanks were declining. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 24, 2022

Some western Massachusetts cities and towns have instituted mandatory water restrictions, including Easthampton, Northampton, Shelburne, Southwick and Ware. WWLP-22 News (Mass.), June 26, 2022

A Higgins boat is one of the latest items to emerge from the depths of Lake Mead as the water level continues to fall. The World War II-era landing craft was used to survey the Colorado River decades ago. Las Vegas Review-Journal (Nev.), July 1, 2022

Sierra Pacific Industries, owner of more than 2 million acres of timberland in California, Oregon and Washington, closed its California forestlands on July 1 due to “extreme drought conditions and increasing risk of wildfire.” San Francisco Chronicle (Calif.), June 26, 2022

A number of cities in the West will forego fireworks this year, some due to drought and wildfire concerns, but others due to short-staffing or supply chain issues. Demand for fireworks was almost nonexistent during the pandemic, but suddenly demand for them is high, leading to problems with overseas shipping, transportation in the U.S., rising insurance costs and labor shortages, which have all contributed to the canceled displays. • Phoenix canceled its three major displays because they couldn’t get professional-grade fireworks • Flagstaff, AZ will have a new laser light show instead of fireworks • The Lake Don Pedro display in California was canceled due to drought and the low lake level • Wildfire concerns caused cancellations in Lompoc, CA and Castle Rock, CO • Albuquerque and Santa Fe in NM are go for fireworks, despite the immense wildfire activity that the state has seen this year Associated Press News (New York), June 27, 2022

North Texas soil moisture remained short to adequate. Water tank levels continued to drop. Concerns about prolonged drought could impact plantings this fall. Summer pastures were improving but still needed rain. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 24, 2022

The South Carolina Drought Response Committee upgraded the drought designation for all counties in the state. Thirteen counties were upgraded from incipient to moderate drought, including Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Jasper, Marlboro, Marion and Williamsburg. The remaining counties were upgraded to the first level of drought, incipient. "Corn and tobacco crops are suffering. Hay production is low, and many producers are already feeding their winter hay and selling cows. Ponds and creeks are much lower than they were a few weeks ago," according to an agricultural program specialist with the Farm Service Agency Office. More wildfires have burned in recent weeks. In June, the Forestry Commission responded to 196 wildfires that burned more than 1,157 acres. Compared to the 10-year June average, there were 172% more fires and 231% more acres burned for the month. Most streams and groundwater levels were declining due to the lack of rain and high temperatures. With drought conditions intensifying, all water systems were asked to review their drought response plans and ordinances and implement as needed. The Sumter Item (S.C.), July 2, 2022 The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources recognized 13 counties as being in incipient drought status. The 13 counties are Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Jasper, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg. Darlington County is unseasonably dry with rain evaporating before it can soak into the soil. Planting is underway in Marlboro County, but could soon slow or stop without rain. WPDE (Conway, S.C.), April 27, 2022

Hot and dry conditions continued. Temperatures were in the triple digits all week. All forage growth slowed due to drought. Cotton producers started to plant irrigated acres that was pre-watered while other producers were preparing to plant following potential rainfall in the forecast. Producers continued to supplement livestock with feed and reduce herd numbers. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 24, 2022 Conditions in West Central Texas were extremely hot and dry. Some counties received a little rain, but the majority stayed dry. Pastures were starting to turn dormant, and stock tanks were drying up or extremely low. Wheat producers were choosing to bale wheat pastures as they anticipated little grain production and a short hay crop. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued, with most producers culling numbers. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 10, 2022 Conditions remained windy and very dry in West Central Texas and were not favorable for agricultural production. Some corn was planted where producers pre-watered. Winter wheat remained in mostly poor condition due to drought. Livestock body conditions were declining. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 26, 2022 Conditions were very dry across West Central Texas. Some areas did receive rain, but most parts stayed dry. Some green-up occurred, but there was little available forage. Wheat was being watered in irrigated fields, and pre-watering in cotton fields started in anticipation of planting in a month. Livestock were in poor to fair condition. Some ranchers were selling cows due to the lack of water and little to no lease land available. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 19, 2022 West Central Texas fields were being prepared for cotton planting, but dryland fields will need rainfall. Dryland wheat fields failed, and irrigated wheat yields will be below average. Pastures have no grazing, and livestock were being fed. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 12, 2022 Dry conditions continued in West Central Texas, and hay reserves were low. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued. Some producers were beginning to cull cattle due to drought and wildfires. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 5, 2022

Cattle forage and hay fields in Southeast Texas were way behind schedule due to drought, and grazing was limited. Dryland crops were struggling. Rangeland and pasture conditions ranged from very poor to excellent with fair conditions in most areas. Soil moisture levels were very short to adequate with short levels being most common. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 24, 2022 Many Southeast Texas counties were becoming dry due to the lack of rain. Some producers gambled and put out fertilizer, but missed out on rain so far. Some areas remained dry. Rangeland and pasture ratings were very poor to excellent with mostly fair conditions reported. Soil moisture levels were very short to adequate with short conditions being most common. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 26, 2022 Many counties in Southeast Texas were struggling with dry conditions. Soil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Some counties received some rain, up to 2 inches in one location, but dry conditions persisted. Pastures were getting dry. Windy conditions were reported. Most pastures were fertilized and needed rain. Rangeland and pasture ratings were very poor to excellent with mostly fair conditions reported. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 19, 2022 Southeast Texas pastures were greening up and in good condition but getting dry. Soil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Some areas were drier after missing recent rains. Some rice farmers were irrigating to get the crop started. Rangeland and pasture ratings were very poor to fair. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 12, 2022 Pasture and rangelands in Southeast Texas were in very poor to good condition, and a burn ban was in effect. Some areas reported decent rainfall, and more rain was in the forecast. Subsoil moisture was very short to adequate. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 29, 2022 Many areas of Southeast Texas remained dry. Rangeland and pasture ratings were very poor to fair. Soil moisture levels were very short to surplus. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 15, 2022 Rangeland and pasture conditions in Southeast Texas ranged from very poor to good, and soil moisture levels were very short to adequate. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 8, 2022 Soil moisture in Southeast Texas ranged from very poor to surplus. Rangeland and pasture conditions ranged from very poor to fair. AgriLife (College Station, Texas), March 2, 2022 Soil moisture was below normal in Southeast Texas. Cool-season legumes were extremely behind on growth this year, and many fields were barely managing to germinate with very little above-ground growth reported. Rangeland and pasture ratings were very poor to fair. Soil moisture levels ranged from very short to surplus with most counties reporting adequate conditions. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 24, 2022 Most of Southeast Texas remained dry. Soil moisture levels were adequate to very short. Pasture forages were declining, but the quality remained good. Wheat and oat fields needed rain. Most livestock were being fed supplemental hay and/or protein. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 1, 2022

Soil moisture levels in the Panhandle were very short to short. Overall crop, rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to poor. Producers were still trying to decide whether to plant this season. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 24, 2022 Overall soil moisture in the Texas Panhandle was very short to short. Crop, rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to poor. Wheat was heading, but rain was needed to fill the head with grain. Rangeland was still dormant in most areas, and cattle diets were being supplemented. Most of the area continued to struggle with drought conditions. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 10, 2022 Soil moisture in the Panhandle was very short to short. Strong wind events contributed to soil erosion in fields lacking moisture or forage cover. Extreme winds added to the very dry conditions. Rangeland was trying to green up but needed moisture. Cattle were still being supplemented with feed and hay. Overall crop, rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to poor. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 26, 2022 Extreme drought conditions continued in the Panhandle. A few farmers planted oats over wheat fields that did not emerge in hopes of having some type of grazing for cattle if rainfall arrives. Many farmers were preparing their fields for spring planting, but the lack of rainfall was delaying planting decisions. Cattle were on supplemental feed. Producers were selling off their cow-calf pairs due to the lack of forage. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 19, 2022 Dry conditions persisted in the Panhandle, and soil moisture levels were very short to short. There has been no measurable rainfall in the past several months, and conditions were taking their toll on the land and producers. Producers with irrigation were running pivots on winter wheat to get silage or grazing for stocker cattle. With grain prices up considerably for wheat, producers were considering whether to take it to harvest. Rangeland green up started but was very slow due to dry conditions. Overall rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to poor. Ranchers were beginning to thin herds as feed supplies were running low. Wildfires were a real danger. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 12, 2022 The Panhandle received scattered showers, but much more was needed to restore soil moisture and crop conditions to normal. Soil moisture levels were very short to short. Overall, crop, rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to poor. Producers with irrigation were watering wheat to get some growth for stocker cattle. Supplemental feeding of cattle continued. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 5, 2022 Soil moisture levels in the Texas Panhandle were very short to short. Some general rainfall and snow provided some moisture, but much more was needed to restore soil moisture and crop conditions to normal. Producers with irrigation were watering wheat to get some growth for stocker cattle. Rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to poor. Cattle diets were being supplemented on rangeland. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 29, 2022 Soil moisture conditions in the Texas Panhandle were very short to short. Crop, rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to poor. Dry conditions worsened. Producers were finishing up limited fieldwork in the dry conditions. Irrigation was needed for tillage, and wheat was being irrigated. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 22, 2022 Conditions were cold and dry in the Texas Panhandle. Soil moisture levels were very short to short. Producers were on hold for fieldwork or preparations as they waited for moisture. They were also running pivot irrigation systems on wheat fields trying to get some grazing for stocker cattle. Dryland wheat conditions continued to deteriorate, and cattle were being supplemented on rangelands. Crop, rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to poor. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 15, 2022 Dry, warm conditions persisted. All counties reported very short to short soil moisture. Dryland wheat was in gradual decline. Irrigated wheat was receiving water. Cattle were receiving supplemental feed on rangeland. Crops, rangeland and pastures were in very poor to poor condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 8, 2022 Dry conditions continued in the Panhandle. Overall soil moisture was very short to short. Rangeland and pasture conditions were poor to very poor in most counties. Winter wheat crops continued to struggle with the lack of moisture. Some producers were beginning to irrigate wheat on warmer days. Cattle were receiving supplemental feed on rangelands and pasture. Wheat pasture cattle were being sold. Conditions remained extremely dry. AgriLife (College Station, Texas), March 2, 2022 Conditions remained extremely dry in the Panhandle. Soil moisture levels were very short to short. Winter wheat continued to struggle from a lack of moisture. Some producers were beginning to irrigate wheat on warmer days. Livestock were in fair condition with daily supplemental feeding. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 24, 2022 Extreme drought conditions persisted in the Panhandle. Overall soil moisture levels were very short to short, and rangeland and pasture ratings were very poor to poor in nearly all counties. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 15, 2022 Soil moisture levels in the Texas Panhandle are very short. Rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to poor. The moisture from recent snow could make a difference for winter wheat. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 8, 2022 The Panhandle is very dry, and emerging wheat fields are at a standstill in need of soil moisture as soil moisture is short in nearly all counties. Overall, rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to poor. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 1, 2022 Dry conditions continued in the Panhandle, and moisture was extremely limited. Drought conditions were affecting winter wheat and native pastures. If significant rains do not arrive by April, only irrigated corn acres will be available for planting. Some producers were irrigating wheat on warmer days. Cattle on rangelands were receiving supplemental feed. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Jan 25, 2022

Conditions remained dry, hot and windy. Temperatures reached 109 degrees. Extreme fire dangers existed all week. High winds caused wind erosion. There were reports of dying plant life, including trees. Producers were not happy with soil moisture levels, and emergence was questionable. Corn fields will start sharing water with cotton soon, so rainfall will be necessary for corn to make decent yields. Pastures remained completely bare of any forage, and producers were selling livestock at a high rate due to poor conditions. Deer feeding in ditches continue to be a hazard for drivers. Deer were expected to become a severe problem in cotton as it begins to emerge. Livestock producers were feeding supplements and heavy hay rations. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 24, 2022 Temperatures in Far West Texas were brutally hot with high winds causing soil moisture to evaporate quickly. More rain and irrigation moisture were evaporating than fields could absorb. There were reports of dead grasses and trees. Corn was beginning to show stress. Pastures were generally bare, and cattle were becoming scarce. Livestock were being fed more cubes due to decreased pasture quality. Producers continued to feed livestock and wildlife. Irrigation water in the lower valley was limited to City of El Paso effluent water and some lower-quality well water. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 10, 2022 Dry and windy conditions persisted, and wildfire threats remained extremely high. Winds with 40 mph gusts slowed fieldwork due to visibility issues. Most fieldwork halted as growers waited for some significant rain before doing any more land preparation. Rangeland conditions continued to deteriorate in southern areas but were greening up in northern parts of the district. Livestock were getting expensive to feed. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 26, 2022 No rain was reported in Far West Texas amid extremely dry and windy conditions. No cotton was planted yet, and growers were not optimistic about the crop due to dry conditions. More producers were turning off their irrigation water and most will not irrigate this season. What little corn that was planted was showing mixed conditions at this point with a portion looking very good and other fields looking poor with nonuniform emergence. Andrews County lost approximately 6,500 acres of rangeland to wildfire. Livestock producers were providing heavy rations of supplemental hay and feed due to poor grazing conditions. Many pastures were completely bare of grass. Many ranchers were evaluating herds for culling. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 19, 2022 Conditions remained dry in Far West Texas. Rangeland conditions continued to deteriorate in drier areas. Only irrigated wheat remained. A few producers who were pre-watering fields have already shut off wells because pivots were not adding soil moisture. Producers were having a very difficult time getting corn to emerge on irrigated ground, and many were considering abandoning the crop. Some wheat and oats under irrigation were expected to be cut and baled. Ranchers were considering culling herds soon without rain. Cattle continued to be sold due to the price of feed and reduced availability. Pastures were bare, with no weeds or grass present. Producers were worried about potential herd consolidation due to drought. Alfalfa fields and pecan orchards continued to receive irrigation. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 12, 2022 Blowing sand was piling up in Far West Texas due to extremely high winds. Corn acres were down significantly due to lack of moisture and irrigation availability. Sorghum planting should begin soon, however, acres may decline as well. Fieldwork for cotton slowed down as most producers were afraid of disturbing the soil due to the high winds. More growers were shutting the irrigation off because they could not get the soil wet enough to work or plant, but some continued watering fields. Farmers around El Paso were relying on well water and effluent from the city. Cattle were in fair condition, but producers continued to cull herds due to the lack of grazing and high feed costs. A wildfire burned for two days covering approximately 650 acres in the northern part of Jeff Davis County. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 5, 2022 Conditions in Far West Texas were windy with no precipitation. Rangeland conditions were extremely dry. Only irrigated wheat fields remained. Pre-irrigation for cotton continued, and some pecan orchards and alfalfa fields were receiving water as well. The Lower Valley was being irrigated with effluent from the City of El Paso, some private wells, and some El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1 wells. Water quality issues were a problem during this critical time. The Upper Valley was irrigating crops with private wells, but the water quality was very good. Some fires reached West Texas, and due to the high winds, ranchers were forced to move the cattle to different sections of their ranches. Producers continued to feed wildlife and livestock. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 29, 2022 The lack of precipitation, strong winds and blowing sand reduced visibility in Far West Texas at times to less than an eighth of a mile. Conditions made it hard for ranchers to work cattle. There were reports of high winds damaging crops and water systems plus evaporating much of the soil moisture from pre-irrigated fields. Very little fieldwork was being done as producers tried to limit input costs. Area cow/calf producers were working calves and selling more livestock, especially cattle, due to cost-prohibitive supplemental feeding. Many fires had broken out, including one that burned around 4,000 acres. Rangeland conditions were poor. Pre-irrigation for row crop fields continued, including some irrigation for pecan orchards and remaining alfalfa. Irrigation in portions of the Lower Valley was effluent/treated sewage from the City of El Paso, El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1 wells and some private wells. Water was scheduled to be released from Elephant Butte Reservoir in late May, which would deliver water to El Paso County in early June. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 22, 2022 Extreme drought conditions continued in Far West Texas. Blowing sand was starting to cover roads due to high winds and lack of cover crops. Livestock producers were supplemental feeding with protein and hay. Rangelands continued to decline with no precipitation. Pre-irrigation continued in the Rio Grande Valley, mainly for Pima and upland cotton. Some alfalfa and pecan orchards were being irrigated. More planted cotton acres were expected due to higher cotton prices. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 15, 2022 Conditions were dry with no rainfall. The district went 200 days since the last rain of 0.5 of an inch or more. There was no wheat, and pastures were bare. A few growers turned on their irrigation wells. Irrigated acres may be down considerably this year, especially considering the high cost of inputs. Summer forages were still dormant. Producers were supplementing all livestock with hay and grain. Ranchers were selling more cattle weekly including breeding stock. Parts of the lower valley received effluent water from the City of El Paso via the irrigation district. The upper valley will rely on wells for pre-irrigation of row crops, alfalfa and pecans. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 8, 2022 Dry conditions continued in Far West Texas with many counties having issues with visibility due to high winds and blowing sand. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor. Winter wheat was also in very poor condition. Producers were spraying to keep insects away from crops, but others were waiting for rain before starting. A few producers started irrigating soil but will shut wells off if rain does not come soon. Pastures continued to be bare. Cattle producers were reducing stocking rates and increasing supplemental feed rations. More cattle were being sold. Water levels at Elephant Butte reservoir were low as they were last year. Although Pima cotton prices were very high this year, very little cotton was expected to be planted due to severe drought conditions. AgriLife (College Station, Texas), March 2, 2022 Small portions of the district received trace amounts of rain, but most areas do not have enough moisture for cover crops or to sand fight. Heavy winds were received with power outages reported. Drought conditions continued and growers were trying to decide what to do this summer. A few producers began to pre-water fields for the upcoming cotton crop. Most producers were not going to irrigate until significant rainfall improves subsoil moisture. Wheat was nearly non-existent with only a couple of irrigated fields that have not failed. The irrigated wheat was in very poor condition as irrigation was limited. Wheat was behind this year, but remaining fields have begun to joint. Stocking rates were extremely low, and some producers were culling deeper to reduce supplemental feed requirements. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 24, 2022 Far West Texas had a very small amount of irrigated wheat that had not grown much due to cold temperatures and a lack of moisture. Pastures were completely bare of forage for livestock. Cattle were looking thin, and producers were still feeding them heavy rations. They also continued to sell off cull cows and younger calves at lighter weights. A few producers were considering reducing herd size due to high feed costs. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 15, 2022 Far West Texas remained extremely dry. Wheat seeds may germinate if the ground warms back up, but more moisture will be necessary to sustain the crop. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 8, 2022 No dryland wheat in Far West Texas had emerged, and irrigated wheat only came up directly above drip tapes. Pastures were bare of grass and forage for cattle. Producers continued to sell off calves and poorer cows. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 1, 2022 Far West Texas was warm and dry. Wheat conditions worsened. About 5% of planted fields emerged, and dryland fields that emerged were dead. Irrigated wheat on drip systems had not emerged between the tapes. Growers who dug ditches to install new drip irrigation said there was no moisture up to 6 feet in ground depth. Rangeland and pastures were very hard and dry. Cattle were receiving supplemental feed, and more producers were thinning herds due to lack of forages and high feed costs. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Jan 25, 2022