Drought among the worst in Texas in past 500 years

As the drought persists, Texas lakes are drying up, including one of San Antonio's favorite hangouts. Click through the gallery for photos of the lake vanishing over the last few years.

As the drought persists, Texas lakes are drying up, including one of San Antonio's favorite hangouts. Click through the gallery for photos of the lake vanishing over the last few years. Image 1 of / 141 Caption Close Drought among the worst in Texas in past 500 years 1 / 141 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — Will record-breaking droughts become the “new normal” for South Texas?

That question was posed by the state Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon at a meeting of the Edwards Aquifer Authority board Tuesday.

The current drought, which started four years ago, is among the five worst in the past 500 years, he said. If it continues to be as dry as it is has been, the drought could be the third worst.

El Niño conditions “definitely seem to be on the way,” he said, which could usher in a cool, wet winter and up to 5 inches of additional rainfall.

In the long term, because of changes in the global climate, South Texas “could see both worse droughts and worse floods,” Nielsen-Gammon said.

For a full report on the state climatologist's comments, go to ExpressNews.com or read Wednesday's edition of the Express-News.

shuddleston@express-news.net