Newton County rain, outlook and forecast
On the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, most of Newton County, TX was in severe drought (D2), with 36% at extreme drought (D3); week 5 in a row with some severe drought (D2) or worse. Over 90 days rain is at 46% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 17% (well below normal); the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain and Tuesday carries the week's highest rain chance at 96% (high 82°). Newton County is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 4 monthly payments, and Giddings is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 194 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 17% of normal
- Last 60 days 39% of normal
- Last 90 days 46% 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 toward near-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 84°, low 65°, 6% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Monday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 83°, low 68°, 38% rain, wind 5–10 mph
- Tuesday Showers And Thunderstorms, high 82°, low 55°, 96% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Wednesday Mostly Sunny, high 78°, low 49°, 3% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Thursday Mostly Sunny, high 79°, low 49°, 10% rain, wind 0 mph
- Friday Sunny, high 78°, low 46°, 2% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny, high 75°, low 47°, 15% 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 1 open
| What happened | Started | Tell FSA early by | FSA deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme drought (D3) reached (U.S. Drought Monitor) | Oct 20, 2026 | Nov 19, 2026 (18 days left) | Mar 1, 2027 |
If this cost you livestock, extra feed or hauled water, call your county FSA office now, while it's fresh. The 30-day date is a suggestion from Cownty; FSA's deadline for the notice of loss and application is the March 1 date. Log it in your Drought Ledger · Find your FSA office and phone
Information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. FSA decides eligibility. Cownty sends nothing to FSA.
Drought-sale tax flag IRS list
Newton 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 194 mi | Oct 26 | $359 |
| Hope 199 mi | Oct 29 | $372 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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 2 nearest barns
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Newton County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Newton 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 Newton County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Newton County was in severe drought (D2), and the worst part was extreme drought (D3) on 36% of the county. 5 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Newton County?
Yes, a burn ban is in effect for Newton County (since Sep 30, 2026). Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Newton County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Giddings (194 mi), last report Oct 26, 2026; Hope (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.