Shelby County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Shelby County, TX was in severe drought (D2) on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, with 21% at extreme drought (D3); some part has been in severe drought (D2) or worse for 9 straight weeks. Rain has run 26% of normal over the last 30 days (well below normal) and 49% over 90 days, so the past month has been drier than the season so far; the NWS forecast peaks at a 94% rain chance on Tuesday (high 77°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain. Shelby County is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 3 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Hope, 134 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 26% of normal
- Last 60 days 62% of normal
- Last 90 days 49% 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 drier than normal (33% chance of below-normal rain)
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Nov 1, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Partly Sunny, high 81°, low 64°, 9% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Monday Partly Sunny, high 83°, low 66°, 22% rain, wind 5–10 mph
- Tuesday Showers And Thunderstorms, high 77°, low 48°, 94% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Wednesday Mostly Sunny, high 74°, low 44°, 3% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Thursday Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 76°, low 45°, 19% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 75°, low 42°, 2% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny, high 74°, low 45°, 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 1 open
| What happened | Started | Tell FSA early by | FSA deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme drought (D3) reached (U.S. Drought Monitor) | Oct 27, 2026 | Nov 26, 2026 (25 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
Shelby 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hope 134 mi | Oct 29 | $372 |
| Giddings 199 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 2 nearest barns
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Shelby County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Shelby 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 Shelby County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Shelby County was in severe drought (D2), and the worst part was extreme drought (D3) on 21% of the county. 9 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Shelby County?
Yes, a burn ban is in effect for Shelby County (since Sep 17, 2026). Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Shelby County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Hope (134 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Giddings (199 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.