Wichita County rain, outlook and forecast
On the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, most of Wichita County, TX was in severe drought (D2), with 11% at extreme drought (D3); week 13 in a row with some severe drought (D2) or worse. Over 90 days rain is at 77% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 161% (well above normal); the best rain chance this week is 44% on Monday (high 83°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain. FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Wichita County with up to 5 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Apache, 66 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 161% of normal
- Last 60 days 106% of normal
- Last 90 days 77% 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 Cloudy, high 80°, low 64°, 2% rain, wind 10–14 mph
- Monday Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 83°, low 55°, 44% rain, wind 10–24 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 73°, low 48°, 0% rain, wind 3–20 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 75°, low 49°, 2% rain, wind 6–7 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 73°, low 45°, 1% rain, wind 6–12 mph
- Friday Sunny, high 70°, low 45°, 4% rain, wind 5–7 mph
- Saturday Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 70°, low 47°, 16% rain, wind 3–8 mph
National Weather Service forecast for the county center, updated Nov 1, 2026. Wind, warnings and burn bans.
PRF pasture insurance: sign up by Dec 1, 2026
The 2027 Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) insurance sales closing date for Wichita County is Dec 1, 2026, 30 days from today. PRF (Rainfall Index) pays on a rainfall index for your grid, not on your own rain gauge. You buy it through a crop insurance agent.
How PRF works · PRF 2027 sign-up · Find your grid on RMA's PRF tool
Date from USDA RMA's actuarial data, read Aug 28, 2026 · RMA dates map. Your agent confirms the date for your policy.
Wichita County grass production
In 2025, grassland and pasture in Wichita County grew about 2,505 pounds per acre of grass and forbs, 111% of the county's 1991-2020 normal of 2,251 pounds per acre. That was the 9th best of 40 years on record (1986-2025). Best year: 2020 at 3,068 pounds per acre; worst: 1986 at 662.
Pounds per acre of new grass and forbs each year on rangeland and pasture, from the Rangeland Analysis Platform (satellite-based estimates). See every year on the Land tab.
Open loss windows
No open loss windows in Wichita 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
Wichita 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)
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Drought pasture pay (LFP)
On FSA's 2026 list for 8 pasture types. Up to 5 monthly payments.
Bring head counts, grazing leases and pasture acres to your county FSA office.
How to read this
Each bar is a pasture type; the number is how many monthly payments it qualifies for (1 to 5).
Pasture table
| Pasture type | Grazing period | Qualifying date | Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Season Improved | 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31 | 2026-03-02 | 5 |
| Native Pasture | 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31 | 2026-03-02 | 5 |
| Annual Ryegrass | 2026-01-01 to 2026-05-31 | 2026-03-02 | 3 |
| Forage Sorghum | 2026-07-15 to 2026-10-31 | 2026-08-25 | 3 |
| Long Season Small Grains | 2025-11-01 to 2026-05-31 | 2026-03-02 | 3 |
| Short Ssn Spring Sml Grn | 2025-11-15 to 2026-05-31 | 2026-03-02 | 3 |
| Short Season Small Grains | 2025-11-01 to 2026-03-15 | 2026-03-02 | 1 |
| Shrt Ssn Fall_Wtr Sml Grn | 2025-11-15 to 2026-03-15 | 2026-03-02 | 1 |
FSA "Counties & Pasture Types Eligible for 2026 LFP", file dated Oct 29, 2026 (download). FSA decides eligibility. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
USDA disaster declarations
- Apr 29, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Wichita) · crop year 2026 - Apr 24, 2026 · Drought
Wichita declared · crop year 2026 - Apr 10, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Wichita) · crop year 2026 - Apr 10, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Wichita) · crop year 2026 - Dec 29, 2025 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Wichita) · crop year 2025 - Sep 30, 2025 · Severe Storms, Thunderstorms, Hail, Wind, High Winds
Neighboring county declared (counts for Wichita) · crop year 2025 - Mar 25, 2025 · Drought
Wichita declared · crop year 2025
"Declared" means USDA named this county. "Neighboring" means it touches a declared county. Either way, FSA emergency loans can open for about 8 months. FSA designation files (dated Jan 28, 2026, Oct 19, 2026). Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
CRP emergency haying and grazing
Open Wichita County is on FSA's emergency haying and grazing list, starting Sep 1, 2026. Trigger: D2 (severe) drought on the Drought Monitor. Get an updated conservation plan from FSA before cutting or turning out.
Before haying and grazing, contact your FSA county office to see if your county remains eligible and/or obtain a modified conservation plan. This list is cumulative for the year and current local conditions may have changed.
Source: FSA eligible-county table posted Oct 29, 2026 · map · FSA program page. FSA posts a new file every Thursday. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
Screwworm (Texas Animal Health Commission)
Not in a screwworm zone
Nearest infested zone: 252 mi straight-line (Infested Zone 20). Statewide: 13 counties touch an infested zone, 1 the surveillance zone. See the map.
Alerts naming Wichita County
- Jan 29, 2026 equine
Equine Infectious Anemia Confirmed in Wichita County Horses
Latest statewide screwworm orders and animal-health alerts
- Nov 1, 2026 new
TAHC Executive Director Order - Jeff Davis and Presidio Counties - Oct 31, 2026 new
TAHC Executive Director Order - Culberson and Hudspeth Counties - Oct 31, 2026 modified
TAHC Modified Executive Director Order - Brewster, Jeff Davis, Pecos, and Reeves Counties - Oct 31, 2026 modified
TAHC Second Modified Executive Director Order - El Paso and Hudspeth Counties - Oct 29, 2026 new
TAHC Executive Director Order - El Paso County - Oct 9, 2026 fever tick
TAHC Issues Cattle Fever Tick Quarantine Zone Requirements Reminder - Oct 1, 2026 screwworm
TAHC Establishes New World Screwworm Requirements for Animals Moving from Affected States - Sep 15, 2026 CWD
TAHC Issues Annual Reminder of Chronic Wasting Disease Requirements for Exotic Susceptible Species - Aug 31, 2026 screwworm
TAHC Releases First Eligible New World Screwworm Infested Zones - 02.A and 03 - Aug 24, 2026 screwworm
TAHC Establishes New World Screwworm Movement Requirements for Cattle From Mexico
Check wounds and navels. Suspect a case? Call the Commission's veterinarian on call, 1-800-550-8242.
Source: Texas Animal Health Commission screwworm zone map (zones as of Nov 1, 2026), screwworm orders and news releases; each item is dated by the Commission. Its orders, not this page, set movement rules. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
New FSA programs: watch list
| Date | Scope | Release | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2026 | Oklahoma | USDA Designates Three Oklahoma Counties as Natural Disaster Areas | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Minnesota | USDA Designates Numerous Counties in Minnesota as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Drought | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Maine | USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Maine Impacted by Drought | |
| Oct 29, 2026 | North Carolina | USDA Designates 13 North Carolina Counties as a Natural Disaster Area | |
| Oct 29, 2026 | Oklahoma | USDA Designates Eight Oklahoma Counties as Natural Disaster Areas |
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Wichita County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Wichita 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 Wichita County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Wichita County was in severe drought (D2), and the worst part was extreme drought (D3) on 11% of the county. 13 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Wichita County?
No burn ban is listed for Wichita County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Wichita County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Apache (66 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; El Reno (115 mi), last report Oct 27, 2026; Ada (128 mi), last report Oct 28, 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.