Worsening drought conditions loom for Central Texas

Driving the news: Drought conditions have worsened in Central Texas and across the state this month, with Travis County now under "moderate drought" conditions as of Oct. 10, according to the latest map from U.S. Drought Monitor.

• Local officials are set to sign disaster declarations in an 11am press conference Thursday because of the area's increasing wildfire risk.
• Austin weather station Camp Mabry hasn't seen rain since Sept. 5, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Eric Platt.

The latest: "It looks like drier than normal and warmer than normal" conditions will persist into January, Platt tells Axios.

Flashback: Central Texas faced exceptional drought conditions last year, closing boat ramps and swimming holes and threatening the water supply in parts of Central Texas.

• Austin remains under tight water restrictions, with only one watering day per week for residential and commercial sites.
• Lakes Travis and Buchanan — Central Texas' chief reservoirs — remain only 54% full, according to Oct. 16 data from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The drought also stressed trees, turning their canopies brown and red long before fall foliage season.

The latest: We checked in with Will Johnston of Davey Tree South Austin for some tips to take care of your trees in the lingering drought.

• Focus on deep, infrequent watering in the morning or evening over frequent, shallow watering in a drought.
• Use a sprinkler or drip hose to target the "drip zone" directly beneath the tree's canopy, and avoid watering the trunk to prevent root rot.
• Consider using a rain gauge or measuring the amount of water with a can to ensure your tree receives adequate water — approximately 1 inch per week — without wasting valuable resources.
• Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone to help the tree retain moisture.

• Fertilize your tree in the fall to help it recover the nutrients lost during the summer. Use a diluted slow-release fertilizer, rather than high amounts of quick-release nitrogen right before or after a hot and dry summer.

What they're saying: "Proper care and diligent monitoring are vital for helping stressed trees recover," Johnston adds.

Yes, but: If a tree appears to be sick or dead, it is crucial to contact a certified arborist to develop a treatment or removal plan, according to Johnston.

• "You can perform a simple tree viability test by gently scratching the bark of a twig with a fingernail or pocket knife," Johnston says. "A healthy twig will reveal moist, green tissue beneath. If the tissue is brown and brittle, try the same test on several twigs."

What's next: While drought conditions will persist, Platt at the National Weather Service notes that the Austin area can expect cooler temperatures into the weekend. Temperatures are forecast to get back up into the 90s early next week.

• "We do have a few days of cool weather to look forward to."