Gaines County rain, outlook and forecast
As of the Oct 27 Drought Monitor, most of Gaines County, TX was abnormally dry (D0), with 40% at moderate drought (D1); 40% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 100% four weeks earlier. Over 90 days rain is at 100% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 234% (well above normal); the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 6–10 leans wetter than normal (40% chance of above-normal rain) and the best rain chance this week is 20% on Saturday (high 68°). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Gaines County with up to 2 monthly payments, and Roswell is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 118 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 234% of normal
- Last 60 days 122% of normal
- Last 90 days 100% 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 (40% 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 Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy, high 75°, low 60°, 16% rain, wind 10–15 mph
- Monday Mostly Sunny, high 76°, low 51°, 0% rain, wind 5–25 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 69°, low 45°, 0% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 72°, low 47°, 2% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 70°, low 44°, 0% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 68°, low 47°, 11% rain, wind 0 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 68°, low 46°, 20% 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 Gaines 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
Gaines 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Roswell 118 mi | Oct 26 | $383 |
| Clovis 119 mi | Oct 28 | $394 |
| Tulia 133 mi | Oct 29 | $386 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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.
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Gaines County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Gaines County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 2 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 Gaines County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Gaines County was in abnormally dry (D0), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on 40% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Gaines County?
No burn ban is listed for Gaines County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Gaines County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Roswell (118 mi), last report Oct 26, 2026; Clovis (119 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Tulia (133 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026.
Source: USDA AMS Market News reports
What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?
Next: Nov 1, 2026: Grapevine 2027: last day to buy crop insurance; Nov 13, 2026: Apply for NRCS conservation cost-share (EQIP, CSP, ACEP) to be considered for 2027 money. 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.