Hill County rain, outlook and forecast
As of the Oct 27 Drought Monitor, most of Hill County, TX was in moderate drought (D1), with 25% at severe drought (D2); some part has been in severe drought (D2) or worse for 8 straight weeks. Rain has run 26% of normal over the last 30 days (well below normal) and 54% over 90 days, so the past month has been drier than the season so far; the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 8–12 leans drier than normal (33% chance of below-normal rain) and today carries the week's highest rain chance at 93% (high 85°). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Hill County with up to 3 monthly payments, and Giddings is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 125 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 26% of normal
- Last 60 days 62% of normal
- Last 90 days 54% 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 drier than normal (33% chance of below-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 85°, low 63°, 93% rain, wind 10–20 mph
- Tuesday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny, high 73°, low 52°, 23% rain, wind 0–15 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 73°, low 52°, 1% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 76°, low 53°, 6% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Friday Sunny, high 71°, low 50°, 4% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny, high 67°, low 47°, 9% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Sunday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny, high 67°, low 45°, 15% rain, wind 0–5 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 Hill 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.
Hill County grass production
In 2025, grassland and pasture in Hill County grew about 3,231 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 114% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 2,834 pounds per acre. That was the 8th best of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 2016 at 3,652 pounds per acre; worst: 1986 at 1,376.
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 Hill 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
Hill 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 125 mi | Oct 26 | $359 |
| Ada 194 mi | Oct 28 | $415 |
| San Angelo 199 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
Price history · Barn map · Fed vs feeder cattle
All weights at the 3 nearest barns
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Hill County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Hill County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 3 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 Hill County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Hill County was in moderate drought (D1), and the worst part was severe drought (D2) on 25% of the county. 8 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Hill County?
No burn ban is listed for Hill County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Hill County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Giddings (125 mi), last report Oct 26, 2026; Ada (194 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; San Angelo (199 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.