Hidalgo County rain, outlook and forecast
The Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map shows most of Hidalgo County, TX in moderate drought (D1), with 37% at severe drought (D2); week 13 in a row with some severe drought (D2) or worse. Over 90 days rain is at 97% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 99% (near normal); the NWS forecast peaks at a 56% rain chance on Saturday (high 78°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 8–12 leans toward near-normal rain. FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Hidalgo County with up to 5 monthly payments.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 99% of normal
- Last 60 days 121% of normal
- Last 90 days 97% of normal
NOAA river forecast center rain (radar plus gauges) at the county center, Nov 2, 2026. Source.
Rain outlook
- 6-10 day outlook (Nov 8–12) Leans toward near-normal rain
- 8-14 day outlook (Nov 10–16) Leans toward near-normal rain
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Nov 2, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Mostly Sunny, high 93°, low 74°, 1% rain, wind 9–14 mph
- Tuesday Mostly Sunny, high 92°, low 67°, 12% rain, wind 0–9 mph
- Wednesday Mostly Sunny, high 85°, low 67°, 3% rain, wind 2–9 mph
- Thursday Mostly Sunny, high 90°, low 70°, 36% rain, wind 2–10 mph
- Friday Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 84°, low 64°, 42% rain, wind 3–10 mph
- Saturday Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, high 78°, low 59°, 56% rain, wind 8–15 mph
- Sunday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny, high 74°, low 55°, 21% rain, wind 5–16 mph
National Weather Service forecast for the county center, updated Nov 2, 2026. Wind, warnings and burn bans.
PRF pasture insurance: sign up by Dec 1, 2026
The 2027 Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) insurance sales closing date for Hidalgo County is Dec 1, 2026, 29 days from today. PRF (Rainfall Index) pays on a rainfall index for your grid, not on your own rain gauge. You buy it through a crop insurance agent.
How PRF works · PRF 2027 sign-up · Find your grid on RMA's PRF tool
Date from USDA RMA's actuarial data, read Aug 28, 2026 · RMA dates map. Your agent confirms the date for your policy.
Hidalgo County grass production
In 2025, grassland and pasture in Hidalgo County grew about 1,803 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 109% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 1,648 pounds per acre. That was the 18th best of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 2004 at 2,777 pounds per acre; worst: 1989 at 178.
Pounds per acre of new grass and forbs each year on rangeland and pasture, from the Rangeland Analysis Platform (satellite-based estimates). See every year on the Land tab.
Open loss windows
No open loss windows in Hidalgo 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
Hidalgo 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)
Loading prices…
Loading drought…
Loading programs…
Weather for Hidalgo County
Forecast for the center point of Hidalgo County.
- Today Mostly Sunny 93° 74° SE 9–14 mph 1% rain
- Tue Mostly Sunny 92° 67° SW 0–9 mph 12% rain
- Wed Mostly Sunny 85° 67° NE 2–9 mph 3% rain
- Thu Mostly Sunny 90° 70° SE 2–10 mph 36% rain
- Fri Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 84° 64° NNE 3–10 mph 42% rain
- Sat Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 78° 59° N 8–15 mph 56% rain
- Sun Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny 74° 55° N 5–16 mph 21% rain
Forecast from the National Weather Service, updated Nov 2, 2026. Wind arrows point where the wind is going; the letters say where it comes from. Windy = 25 mph or more; freeze = a low of 32°F or less. Open the full forecast.
Burn ban
Burn ban ON
In effect since Mar 27, 2025.
Texas A&M Forest Service map (source), as of Nov 2, 2026. County judges set bans; check with the county before burning. Fetched Nov 2, 2026.
Weather warnings right now
None right now
National Weather Service active alerts for this county, as of Nov 2, 2026 (source). Fetched Nov 2, 2026.
Rainfall vs normal
How to read this
Bars are the rain that fell each month; the dashed line is a normal month (1991-2020 average). Bars below the line = drier than normal.
County-average precipitation, Oct 2025 to Sep 2026. Normal = NCEI's own 1991-2020 average for each month (Sep 2026 normal 4.69 in; same month last year 2.45 in). NCEI posts each month around the 8th of the next and may revise recent months. Source: NOAA NCEI Climate at a Glance. Fetched Nov 2, 2026.
Wildfires
No current fire perimeter in the county
No current perimeter within 100 mi of the county center (75 mapped nationally).
Interagency fire outlines. Small or brand-new fires are often not mapped yet; call 911 for a fire you can see. Layer updated Nov 2, 2026. Source: National Interagency Fire Center. Fetched Nov 2, 2026.
Frost dates
Frost and freeze dates
30-year averages (1991–2020) from the weather stations nearest Hidalgo County. Frost = 32°F; hard freeze = 28°F.
La Joya weather station (10 mi away)
| Typical last spring frost | Typical first fall frost | |
|---|---|---|
| Frost (32°F) 340-day growing season |
Jan 23 1 year in 10 it's after Feb 27 |
Dec 28 1 year in 10 it's before Dec 2 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) 365-day growing season |
Jan 7 1 year in 10 it's after Feb 6 |
Jan 1 1 year in 10 it's before Dec 13 |
Mccook weather station (12 mi away)
| Typical last spring frost | Typical first fall frost | |
|---|---|---|
| Frost (32°F) 333-day growing season |
Jan 22 1 year in 10 it's after Mar 5 |
Dec 19 1 year in 10 it's before Nov 26 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) 365-day growing season |
Jan 6 1 year in 10 it's after Feb 16 |
Jan 1 1 year in 10 it's before Dec 5 |
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (La Joya, Mccook), NOAA files as of Jun 27, 2023. Fetched Oct 18, 2026.
Loading money…
Loading deadlines…
Loading land…
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Hidalgo County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Hidalgo 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 Hidalgo County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Hidalgo County was in moderate drought (D1), and the worst part was severe drought (D2) on 37% of the county. 13 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Hidalgo County?
Yes, a burn ban is in effect for Hidalgo County (since Mar 27, 2025). Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Hidalgo County?
No USDA-reported sale barn within 200 miles.
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: Grapefruit 2028: 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.