Lack of Rainfall Pushes Parts of North Texas Into ‘Moderate Drought’

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Diminishing conditions in parts of Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Collin and Wise counties have pushed those areas into moderate drought while most of the surrounding area is abnormally dry, according to data released this week by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The changes have come in the last month even though the Metroplex remains about two inches above normal for rainfall due to a particularly wet February.

With NBC 5's current 10-day forecast showing only a 20 percent chance of rain on Saturday and Tuesday, including a string of days in the mid 90s and above, the drought stage may continue to degrade in North Texas.

The worsening drought conditions to serve as a good reminder to observe municipal watering restrictions in place during the summer months. Some of the larger cities with water restrictions are listed below -- if your city is not listed, search your city's web page for watering ordinances.

Arlington - Year-round watering restrictions between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., except for hand watering and soaker hoses. More
Dallas - Watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. is prohibited unless done by hand or with a soaker hose. Watering is not allowed on Monday, Tuesday or Friday and residents must follow the twice-weekly watering schedule. More
Denton - Watering restrictions in place from June 1 until Sept. 30, watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. prohibited unless done by hand or with a soaker hose. More
Fort Worth - Watering restrictions in place year round and watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. is prohibited unless done by hand or with a soaker hose. Residents must follow the watering schedule. More
Frisco - Residents are expected to adhere to the city's Water Efficiency Plan and only water based on the city's weather station data outside the ours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. More
Garland - Between April 1 and Oct. 31 residents can only water twice per week but have the freedom to choose which two days. Watering by hand or with a soaker hose is permitted at any time. More
Grand Prairie - Customers prohibited from watering on Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday or between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Customers must adhere to the city's schedule. More
Irving - Customers are not permitted to water between April 1 and Oct. 31 unless it's done by hand or with a soaker hose. Watering may only be done according to the city's schedule and can not be done on Monday, Thursday or Friday. More
McKinney - Customers are not permitted to water between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April 1 until Oct. 31. Watering can be done on a customer's normal trash day and on a second day if necessary. More
Mesquite - Watering is allowed twice weekly, though not allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April 1 until Oct. 31. Customers have the freedom to choose which days of the week they want to water. More
Plano - Customers are restricted to watering only twice a week from April 1 through Oct. 31, outside the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Customers can choose which days to water, but are asked to avoid watering when rain is in the forecast. More