Howard County rain, outlook and forecast
As of the Oct 27 Drought Monitor, most of Howard County, TX was in severe drought (D2), and D2-or-worse drought has held there 6 weeks running. Over 90 days rain is at 62% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 196% (well above normal); the NWS forecast peaks at a 20% rain chance on Saturday (high 70°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 6–10 leans wetter than normal (40% chance of above-normal rain). Howard County is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 2 monthly payments, and San Angelo is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 83 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 196% of normal
- Last 60 days 94% of normal
- Last 90 days 62% 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 Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy, high 76°, low 63°, 12% rain, wind 10–15 mph
- Monday Sunny, high 81°, low 55°, 1% rain, wind 5–20 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 71°, low 48°, 0% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 74°, low 50°, 1% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 74°, low 47°, 0% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 71°, low 49°, 15% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 70°, low 49°, 20% rain, wind 0–10 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 Howard 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
Howard 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Angelo 83 mi | Oct 29 | $368 |
| Tulia 155 mi | Oct 29 | $386 |
| Clovis 177 mi | Oct 28 | $394 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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 Howard County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Howard 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 Howard County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Howard County was in severe drought (D2), and the worst part was severe drought (D2) on 100% of the county. 6 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Howard County?
Yes, a burn ban is in effect for Howard County (since Aug 27, 2026). Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Howard County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: San Angelo (83 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Tulia (155 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Clovis (177 mi), last report Oct 28, 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.