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Texas Winter Storm Brings Some Drought Relief, But More Rain Needed
The recent winter storm provided some moisture, but extreme drought persists across much of the state.
Jan. 29, 2026 at 1:23pm
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Last weekend's winter storm brought much-needed precipitation to drought-stricken Texas, with 2 to 6 inches of snow and sleet falling across parts of the state. However, the moisture was not enough to significantly improve the ongoing drought conditions, with 66% of Texas still in moderate drought and 29% under severe drought. San Antonio, in particular, remains in extreme drought, a status it has held for over a year.
Why it matters
Texas has been experiencing a prolonged drought, with below-average rainfall for the past four years. The winter storm provided some temporary relief, but more substantial and sustained precipitation is needed to fully alleviate the drought and replenish water supplies across the state.
The details
The winter storm brought a mix of snow, sleet, and rain to different parts of Texas. While some areas saw up to 6 inches of snow, the moisture content was relatively low, with 6.4 inches of snow in Lubbock only equivalent to 0.63 inch of rain. San Antonio recorded 0.94 inch of rainfall during the storm, its highest total since late October. However, this was not enough to significantly improve the city's extreme drought status, which has persisted for over a year.
- The winter storm hit Texas last weekend, from January 23-25, 2026.
- San Antonio has been in extreme drought for 67 consecutive weeks, dating back to October 22, 2024.
- Since the start of 2022, San Antonio has averaged just 20.56 inches of rainfall per year, 37% less than the climate-normal of 32.38 inches annually.
The players
U.S. Drought Monitor
A partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that provides weekly updates on drought conditions across the United States.
Bexar County
The county that includes the city of San Antonio, which has been in extreme drought for over a year.
What’s next
Weather models suggest that an increase in Pacific moisture is expected by early next week, with scattered showers possible across parts of Texas, including San Antonio. However, overall rainfall next week is expected to be quite light, with most areas receiving less than a half-inch of rain. More substantial and sustained precipitation will be needed to fully alleviate the drought.
The takeaway
While the recent winter storm provided some temporary relief, the ongoing drought in Texas, particularly in San Antonio, remains a significant concern. Continued monitoring of drought conditions and the need for more substantial rainfall will be crucial in the coming months to help replenish water supplies and improve the state's drought status.
