Lee County rain, outlook and forecast
As of the Oct 27 Drought Monitor, most of Lee County, TX was in severe drought (D2); some part has been in severe drought (D2) or worse for 6 straight weeks. Rain has run 37% of normal over the last 30 days (well below normal) and 31% over 90 days; the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 6–10 leans wetter than normal (40% chance of above-normal rain) and Tuesday carries the week's highest rain chance at 88% (high 77°). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Lee County with up to 4 monthly payments, and Giddings is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 10 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 37% of normal
- Last 60 days 39% of normal
- Last 90 days 31% 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 Partly Sunny, high 85°, low 66°, 2% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Monday Partly Sunny, high 86°, low 66°, 47% rain, wind 5–10 mph
- Tuesday Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 77°, low 53°, 88% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 75°, low 49°, 1% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Thursday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny, high 78°, low 50°, 18% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 74°, low 48°, 5% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 74°, low 50°, 19% rain, wind 0–5 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 Lee 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
Lee 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 10 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
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Lee County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Lee 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 Lee County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Lee 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 Lee County?
Yes, a burn ban is in effect for Lee County (since Aug 21, 2026). Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Lee County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Giddings (10 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.