Despite lots of damp days, May still had below-average rainfall in Dallas-Fort Worth.

2026 started significantly drier than normal – January and February both had less than half of their average rain, according to the National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office. The pattern seemed to change in March and April, which were nearly normal, but May was dry again with only 62% of its regular rainfall.

To North Texas residents, that fact may come as a surprise, given how often storm clouds were in the sky. Sixteen days in the month had at least trace amounts of precipitation, only two days fewer than in April. 

But many of those days brought a light sprinkle, according to the weather service. Just four days in May had more than a tenth of an inch of precipitation. In April, eight days had at least a tenth of an inch. 

Notably, this data is collected at DFW International Airport, the official climate location for the region. Across the metro area, several places — like Arlington, Carrollton and the Lakewood neighborhood — had rain totals closer to the May average of 4.78 inches.

Across Texas, those rains have still had a significant impact on drought figures. In late March, drought was pervasive across the state, with 89% of Texas land experiencing some level, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. By June 2, that had dropped to 50%. 

North and West Texas are almost completely drought-free, with significant improvement along the Gulf Coast and in South Texas. More intense drought is still present near Texarkana and in the Panhandle.

Despite trending behind for rain, May was almost exactly average in terms of temperature. Record-breaking heat arrived early in March, but that pace of acceleration didn’t continue throughout the spring.

Consistent rain helped temperatures normalize in April, when the average high for the month was only about 2.5 degrees above usual, according to the weather service. May was even closer to normal, with a 1-degree difference.

A hot summer is still expected — it is Texas after all. But the Climate Prediction Center has consistent precipitation in the forecast for June as well, potentially tempering just how fast 100-degree days arrive.