Caldwell County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Caldwell County, TX was in severe drought (D2) on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, and D2-or-worse drought has held there 5 weeks running. Caldwell County has had 43% of its normal rain in the past 30 days and 37% over 90 days; the best rain chance this week is 83% on Tuesday (high 80°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Caldwell County with up to 4 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Giddings, 48 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 43% of normal
- Last 60 days 44% of normal
- Last 90 days 37% of normal
NOAA river forecast center rain (radar plus gauges) at the county center, Nov 1, 2026. Source.
Rain outlook
- 6-10 day outlook (Nov 7–11) Leans wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain)
- 8-14 day outlook (Nov 9–15) Leans toward near-normal rain
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Nov 1, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Partly Sunny, high 84°, low 66°, 2% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Monday Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny, high 87°, low 68°, 41% rain, wind 5–15 mph
- Tuesday Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 80°, low 53°, 83% rain, wind 5–10 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 77°, low 50°, 1% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 79°, low 51°, 9% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 77°, low 49°, 8% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 76°, low 51°, 23% rain, wind 0–5 mph
National Weather Service forecast for the county center, updated Nov 1, 2026. Wind, warnings and burn bans.
Open loss windows
No open loss windows in Caldwell County right now. A 30-day window opens when the county first hits severe drought (D2), jumps to D3 or D4, or after a blizzard, extreme heat or cold, flood or ice warning, a wildfire, or a USDA disaster designation. Keep a Drought Ledger.
Information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. FSA decides eligibility. Cownty sends nothing to FSA.
Drought-sale tax flag IRS list
Caldwell County is on IRS Notice 2026-54 (severe or worse drought, Sep 1, 2025 to Aug 31, 2026).
Why it matters: if you sold breeding, dairy or draft livestock because of drought, the tax code may let you put off the gain (more time to buy replacement animals, or report the extra-sale income a year later). Your tax preparer decides whether either applies.
Work out your numbers and print a page for your preparer
Information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. Ask your tax preparer. FSA decides program eligibility. IRS Notice 2026-54 (PDF)
5-wt steers, nearest barns
Steers 500–599 lb, $/cwt, weekly average.
| Barn | Last sale | 5-wt steers |
|---|---|---|
| Giddings 48 mi | Oct 26 | $359 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/cwt, per 100 lb), calculated from USDA AMS Market News sale reports (Medium & Large 1 and 1-2). Not a USDA-published average. ≈ $/head = $/cwt × the middle of the weight class ÷ 100.
Guide: How to read a USDA sale barn report
All weights at the 1 nearest barns
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Caldwell County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Caldwell County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 4 monthly payments for some pasture types. FSA decides each operation's eligibility; apply at your county FSA office by March 1 after the loss year.
What is the drought level in Caldwell County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Caldwell County was in severe drought (D2), and the worst part was severe drought (D2) on 100% of the county. 5 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Caldwell County?
Yes, a burn ban is in effect for Caldwell County (since Oct 22, 2026). Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Caldwell County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Giddings (48 mi), last report Oct 26, 2026.
Source: USDA AMS Market News reports
What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?
Next: Nov 13, 2026: Apply for NRCS conservation cost-share (EQIP, CSP, ACEP) to be considered for 2027 money; Nov 20, 2026: Micro Farm 2027: last day to buy crop insurance. FSA program dates not posted officially are marked "confirm at source" on the calendar.
Source: official agency pages (see Calendar)
Information only; not financial or legal advice. FSA decides eligibility. Always check the linked official source.