Moderate to heavy rains reported in West Texas

Thunderstorms moved across West Texas late Precipitation amounts of between 0.25’’ and 2.0’’ were recorded, with heaviest amounts falling on the High Plains.  Rainy conditions persist today, and a 40 percent to 60 percent chance of storms is forecast through tomorrow.  An additional 0.5’’ to 2.0’’ of precipitation is possible before the storms dissipate, and flash flood watches are in effect.  Outside activities are at a standstill.  Some of the bolls at the top of stands have yet to mature, and producers are hoping the precipitation will help those bolls to completely fill out.  In southwestern parts of the state, damage estimates are coming in from the hailstorms earlier this week.  Between 500 acres and 700 acres of Pima cotton have been destroyed, and lint is stringing from some open bolls.  Stormy conditions persist today, and any additional wind and rain will only cause more damage to the crop.

Harvesting is gaining momentum in the Memphis Territory.  A few growers in Mississippi have already finished picking and have prepared their fields for winter.  If good weather holds, most of the region’s crop will be off the stalk by the end of the month.  Scattered thunderstorms, though, are forecast for tomorrow, and slightly cooler temperatures are expected to follow.  According to the US Drought Monitor for the week ended October 6, a ‘severe’ to ‘extreme drought’ prevails across most of the Delta, and although the precipitation will hamper outside activities, the moisture will be welcomed.

In the Southeast, soil moisture levels are at a surplus across most of the region, with only parts of Alabama and Georgia rated ‘abnormally dry’.  Harvest activities are advancing in these states, while work remains idle in the Carolinas.

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