Cotton County rain, outlook and forecast
The Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map shows most of Cotton County, OK in severe drought (D2), with 8% at extreme drought (D3); some part has been in severe drought (D2) or worse for 13 straight weeks. Cotton County has had 185% of its normal rain in the past 30 days and 84% over 90 days, so the past month has been wetter than the season so far; the NWS forecast peaks at a 60% rain chance on Monday (high 83°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 6–10 leans wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Cotton County with up to 5 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Apache, 42 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 185% of normal
- Last 60 days 113% of normal
- Last 90 days 84% 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 6–10) Leans wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain)
- 8-14 day outlook (Nov 8–14) Leans wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain)
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Oct 31, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Partly Sunny, high 79°, low 63°, 4% rain, wind 6–15 mph
- Monday Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, high 83°, low 56°, 60% rain, wind 10–24 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 73°, low 47°, 0% rain, wind 5–21 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 73°, low 46°, 15% rain, wind 5–7 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 72°, low 45°, 8% rain, wind 5–9 mph
- Friday Sunny, high 71°, low 47°, 7% rain, wind 5–7 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 73°, low 48°, 23% rain, wind 5–9 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 Cotton 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
Cotton 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)
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Drought pasture pay (LFP)
On FSA's 2026 list for 9 pasture types. Up to 5 monthly payments.
Bring head counts, grazing leases and pasture acres to your county FSA office.
How to read this
Each bar is a pasture type; the number is how many monthly payments it qualifies for (1 to 5).
Pasture table
| Pasture type | Grazing period | Qualifying date | Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Crabgrass | 2026-04-15 to 2026-11-14 | 2026-04-15 | 5 |
| Native Pasture | 2026-04-15 to 2026-11-14 | 2026-04-15 | 5 |
| Warm Season Improved | 2026-04-15 to 2026-11-14 | 2026-04-15 | 5 |
| Annual Ryegrass | 2025-11-15 to 2026-04-14 | 2025-12-12 | 4 |
| Cool Season Improved | 2025-11-15 to 2026-04-14 | 2025-12-12 | 4 |
| Forage Sorghum | 2026-07-15 to 2026-11-14 | 2026-08-25 | 4 |
| Long Season Small Grains | 2025-11-15 to 2026-05-15 | 2025-12-12 | 4 |
| Shrt Ssn Fall_Wtr Sml Grn | 2025-11-15 to 2026-03-15 | 2025-12-12 | 4 |
| Short Ssn Spring Sml Grn | 2026-03-16 to 2026-05-15 | 2026-03-16 | 2 |
FSA "Counties & Pasture Types Eligible for 2026 LFP", file dated Oct 29, 2026 (download). FSA decides eligibility. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
USDA disaster declarations
- Apr 24, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Cotton) · crop year 2026 - Apr 10, 2026 · Drought
Cotton declared · crop year 2026 - Dec 29, 2025 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Cotton) · crop year 2025 - Sep 30, 2025 · Severe Storms, Thunderstorms, Hail, Wind, High Winds
Neighboring county declared (counts for Cotton) · crop year 2025 - Mar 25, 2025 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Cotton) · crop year 2025
"Declared" means USDA named this county. "Neighboring" means it touches a declared county. Either way, FSA emergency loans can open for about 8 months. FSA designation files (dated Jan 28, 2026, Oct 19, 2026). Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
CRP emergency haying and grazing
Open Cotton County is on FSA's emergency haying and grazing list, starting Sep 1, 2026. Trigger: D2 (severe) drought on the Drought Monitor. Get an updated conservation plan from FSA before cutting or turning out.
Before haying and grazing, contact your FSA county office to see if your county remains eligible and/or obtain a modified conservation plan. This list is cumulative for the year and current local conditions may have changed.
Source: FSA eligible-county table posted Oct 29, 2026 · map · FSA program page. FSA posts a new file every Thursday. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
Animal health notices: Oklahoma
Statewide notices from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF). The agency does not publish county-by-county zones, so these are not specific to Cotton County.
- Jun 15, 2026 status
New World screwworm: there are no confirmed cases in Oklahoma - Jun 4, 2026 news release
New World Screwworm Confirmed in Texas
Suspect a case? Call the State Veterinarian's Office at 405-522-6141 (official page).
Source: Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) (ag.ok.gov, ag.ok.gov); each item is dated by the agency. Latest item as of Jun 15, 2026. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
New FSA programs: watch list
| Date | Scope | Release | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2026 | Oklahoma | USDA Designates Three Oklahoma Counties as Natural Disaster Areas | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Minnesota | USDA Designates Numerous Counties in Minnesota as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Drought | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Maine | USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Maine Impacted by Drought | |
| Oct 29, 2026 | North Carolina | USDA Designates 13 North Carolina Counties as a Natural Disaster Area | |
| Oct 29, 2026 | Oklahoma | USDA Designates Eight Oklahoma Counties as Natural Disaster Areas |
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Cotton County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Cotton County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 5 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 Cotton County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Cotton County was in severe drought (D2), and the worst part was extreme drought (D3) on 8% of the county. 13 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Cotton County?
No burn ban is listed for Cotton County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Cotton County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Apache (42 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; El Reno (90 mi), last report Oct 27, 2026; Ada (102 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026.
Source: USDA AMS Market News reports
What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?
Next: Nov 1, 2026: Property taxes due (bills payable from November 1); 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.