Hays County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Hays 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. Over 90 days rain is at 56% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 50% (below normal); the best rain chance this week is 71% on Tuesday (high 77°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain). Hays County is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 4 monthly payments, and Giddings is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 66 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 50% of normal
- Last 60 days 57% of normal
- Last 90 days 56% 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 82°, low 65°, 2% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Monday Partly Sunny, high 83°, low 66°, 61% rain, wind 5–10 mph
- Tuesday Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Mostly Sunny, high 77°, low 53°, 71% rain, wind 5–10 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 75°, low 51°, 1% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 78°, low 52°, 6% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 75°, low 51°, 7% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 74°, low 51°, 21% rain, wind 5–10 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 Hays 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
Hays 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 66 mi | Oct 26 | $359 |
| San Angelo 173 mi | Oct 29 | $368 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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 2 nearest barns
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Hays County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Hays 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 Hays County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Hays County was in severe drought (D2), and the worst part was severe drought (D2) on 85% of the county. 5 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Hays County?
No burn ban is listed for Hays County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Hays County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Giddings (66 mi), last report Oct 26, 2026; San Angelo (173 mi), last report Oct 29, 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.