Jim Wells County rain, outlook and forecast
As of the Oct 27 Drought Monitor, most of Jim Wells County, TX was in severe drought (D2), with 2% at extreme drought (D3), and D2-or-worse drought has held there 10 weeks running. Over 90 days rain is at 75% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 73% (below normal); the best rain chance this week is 58% on Tuesday (high 84°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans wetter than normal (40% chance of above-normal rain). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Jim Wells County with up to 5 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Giddings, 183 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 73% of normal
- Last 60 days 97% of normal
- Last 90 days 75% 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 (40% 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 Mostly Sunny, high 87°, low 70°, 3% rain, wind 3–9 mph
- Monday Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny, high 90°, low 70°, 1% rain, wind 5–14 mph
- Tuesday Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, high 84°, low 60°, 58% rain, wind 3–10 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 79°, low 58°, 0% rain, wind 0–8 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 82°, low 59°, 5% rain, wind 1–6 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 79°, low 59°, 11% rain, wind 2–9 mph
- Saturday Chance Rain Showers, high 77°, low 59°, 34% rain, wind 2–8 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 Jim Wells 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
Jim Wells 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 183 mi | Oct 26 | $359 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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 1 nearest barns
Loading drought…
Loading programs…
Loading weather & fire…
Loading money…
Loading deadlines…
Loading land…
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Jim Wells County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Jim Wells 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 Jim Wells County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Jim Wells County was in severe drought (D2), and the worst part was extreme drought (D3) on 2% of the county. 10 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Jim Wells County?
Yes, a burn ban is in effect for Jim Wells County (since Sep 3, 2026). Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Jim Wells County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Giddings (183 mi), last report Oct 26, 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.