Van Zandt County rain, outlook and forecast
On the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, most of Van Zandt County, TX was in moderate drought (D1); 100% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, the same as four weeks earlier. Over 90 days rain is at 57% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 64% (below normal); the best rain chance this week is 87% on Monday (high 84°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain. FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Van Zandt County with up to 4 monthly payments, and Hope is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 151 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 64% of normal
- Last 60 days 73% of normal
- Last 90 days 57% 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 82°, low 62°, 4% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Monday Partly Sunny, high 84°, low 64°, 87% rain, wind 5–15 mph
- Tuesday Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, high 75°, low 48°, 56% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 71°, low 45°, 3% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Thursday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny, high 73°, low 45°, 18% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Friday Sunny, high 72°, low 44°, 2% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny, high 72°, low 46°, 18% 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 Van Zandt 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
Van Zandt 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 151 mi | Oct 29 | $372 |
| Ada 160 mi | Oct 28 | $415 |
| McAlester 164 mi | Oct 27 | $369 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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 Van Zandt County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Van Zandt 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 Van Zandt County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Van Zandt County was in moderate drought (D1), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on 100% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Van Zandt County?
No burn ban is listed for Van Zandt County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Van Zandt County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Hope (151 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Ada (160 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; McAlester (164 mi), last report Oct 27, 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.