DROUGHT

Near average temperatures & rain chances return to the forecast.

Texas A&M Forest Service is warning Texans about the potential for wildfires.

In this episode of the Whatever the Weather video podcast, Meteorologists Kaiti Blake and Sarah Spivey discuss what drought is and why it happens. The hosts also explain why it's more complicated than 'rain' or 'no rain.'

Extreme weather events, water scarcity, risks of illness: Climate change is here, and it’s already affecting Texans.

There’s no doubt you noticed just how hot it was this weekend - especially if you spent time outdoors celebrating Mother’s Day! This weekend’s heat was significant and some records were broken.

It has been a brutally dry spring in Texas, with 82% of the Lone Star State experiencing drought. Needless to say, we could use LOTS of rain. But instead of healthy rains, we’ve just got big-time heat in the forecast for Mother’s Day weekend.

Widespread 0.50" to 1.50" of much-needed rain likely

As of Thursday, Boerne officials have banned the use of firepits and barbecue pits at Boerne City Lake.

The 10-day rolling average of the Edwards Aquifer has dipped below 650 feet, prompting Stage 2 water restrictions

Climate change has made the Texas heat hotter and longer-lasting, enhancing drought conditions that set the stage for intense fires. More than 40% of the state is in an extreme drought.

NOAA released its spring outlook today and it calls for drought to continue thanks to a La Niña pattern.

The 10-day rolling average of the level of the Edwards Aquifer, measured at the J-17 well, has dropped below 660 feet as of Wednesday morning. Utilities that utilize the aquifer use the criteria to trigger restrictions on water use. Stage 1 restrictions will go into effect on Thursday for SAWS customers. Coming out of drought stages can be considered 15 days after the aquifer is above the trigger.

The latest updates on burn bans and drought conditions in Texas, including the San Antonio and Hill Country regions.

Saturday’s cold front will bring gusty winds and low humidity and combined with current drought conditions, the risk of wildfires is very high.

Ongoing La Niña conditions have brought warm, dry weather and deepened drought conditions across the state.

Fed by rain and snowmelt from mountains, this valley nestled among northwestern Afghanistan’s jagged peaks was once fertile

The conversation will focus on what we’ve learned about extreme weather in Texas and beyond — and what can be done about it.

This massive wall of flames from the Caldor Fire was captured by a firefighter at the Reno Fire Department as crews battle to protect a structure in South Lake Tahoe, California, on Aug. 30.

Stage one water restrictions go into effect for SAWS customers on Wednesday.

Just this week, a major Southern California water agency declared a water supply alert for the first time in seven years, and is asking residents to voluntarily conserve. Many of the state’s counties are already under a state of drought emergency.

Drought conditions gripping the western U.S. have driven down levels in water resources across the West.

San Antonio has seen more than half a foot of rain above average for late April to early June!

The family and representatives of Black men slain by the police met with senators and White House officials Thursday — and left optimistic that police reform could be approved by May 25, the anniversary of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Following a joint congressional address Wednesday night in which President Joe Biden asked Congress to approve reform by May 25, the families and their representatives met with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

Here’s a look at the KSAT Weather Team’s list of the top 5 weather events of 2020:Number 5In June, a far away visitor that really seemed to capture the imagination of South Texans was the Saharan dust cloud. There was hope that hot weather might help keep COVID-19 at bay, but cases ramped up again in July. While weather may play a small role in how COVID-19 spreads, hot, dry weather did not seem to have much effect. A record number of named storms and a record number of landfalling storms were recorded in 2020. Three of the named storms brought impacts to Texas.

Even though Medina Lake is only 43% full, it is notorious for fluctuations. After the devastating 2011 drought, Medina Lake dried up almost completely through 2015, leaving people skeptical if the lake would ever fill up again. Meteorologist Justin Horne took a trip out to Medina Lake in 2014 to show the drastically low water levels which at times was only 3% full. At the time, the Medina Lake Spillway overtopped as heavy rains fell across South Texas. “Medina Lake has a small watershed and is used for agriculture, making it more susceptible to large fluctuations,” said Horne.

SAN ANTONIO – A lack of rainfall in 2020 has allowed drought conditions to worsen in South Texas, culminating this week. The latest Drought Monitor, which was released on Thursday and takes into account drought conditions through November 10th, has placed parts of Uvalde, Zavala, and Dimmit counties within an “exceptional drought," the highest drought level. What is Exceptional Drought? So, what does it mean to be within the “exceptional drought” category? Many other cities around South Texas are in the same situation.

The ten-day rolling average of the level of the Edwards Aquifer, measured at the J-17 well, has dropped below 660 feet as of Thursday morning. Utilities who utilize the aquifer use the criteria to trigger restrictions on water use. Stage 1 restrictions will go into effect on Friday for SAWS customers. These restrictions apply to all Edwards Aquifer groundwater permit holders authorized to pump more than three acre-feet annually. Like SAWS customers, those who use New Braunfels Utilities will be assigned a watering day based on their home address.

Drought conditions may lead to water restrictions soon in San AntonioIf you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241.

6/21: Pope Francis takes on the mob; Why are coffee prices rising? Pope Francis takes on the mob and brands its members an example of "the adoration of evil"; and, Drought in Latin American and the Caribbean is causing the price of coffee to rise worldwide.