McClatchy Washington Bureau

North Texas has had average rainfall this year, and three "cool" days this week felt like Christmas in July. But don’t tell your friends in Central and South Texas, because they are feeling hot, parched and bothered.

A "once-in-a-century" drought is baking a big swath of Texas, says John Nielsen-Gammon, state climatologist and a professor at Texas A&M University.

The drought is "zeroing out" crops and forcing ranchers to liquidate their herds. It’s also crimping summer recreation.

Read the full story at star-telegram.com.