Zavala County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Zavala County, TX was in extreme drought (D3) on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, with 17% at exceptional drought (D4); some part has been in severe drought (D2) or worse for 5 straight weeks. Rain has run 129% of normal over the last 30 days (above normal) and 55% over 90 days, so the past month has been wetter than the season so far; the NWS forecast peaks at a 32% rain chance on Monday (high 86°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans wetter than normal (40% chance of above-normal rain). Zavala County is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 5 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is San Angelo, 183 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 129% of normal
- Last 60 days 72% of normal
- Last 90 days 55% 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 wetter than normal (40% chance of above-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 Partly Sunny, high 84°, low 68°, 4% rain, wind 5 mph
- Monday Partly Sunny, high 86°, low 67°, 32% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Tuesday Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny, high 82°, low 54°, 26% rain, wind 0–15 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 79°, low 55°, 0% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 81°, low 55°, 2% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 78°, low 56°, 13% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 76°, low 56°, 21% 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 2 open
| What happened | Started | Tell FSA early by | FSA deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exceptional drought (D4) reached (U.S. Drought Monitor) | Oct 20, 2026 | Nov 19, 2026 (18 days left) | Mar 1, 2027 |
| Extreme drought (D3) reached (U.S. Drought Monitor) | Oct 6, 2026 | Nov 5, 2026 (4 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
Zavala 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Angelo 183 mi | Oct 29 | $368 |
| Giddings 193 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 Zavala County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Zavala 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 Zavala County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Zavala County was in extreme drought (D3), and the worst part was exceptional drought (D4) on 17% of the county. 5 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Zavala County?
Yes, a burn ban is in effect for Zavala County (since Oct 20, 2025). Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Zavala County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: San Angelo (183 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Giddings (193 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.