Volume 17 Number 4.3 April 26, 2004

The week of April 19, 2004 was eventful concerning severe weather. Temperatures were generally mild in the 80’s, until the cold front moved across the state on Saturday and Sunday. This slow moving frontal boundary combined with upper level disturbances created flooding rains for 2 days. Some areas in Texas received in excess of 10 inches of precipitation within the 2-day event. Some impressive precipitation totals from April 24^th are listed: College Station 1.13”, Denton 1.13”, Galveston 1.06”, Longview 1.27”, Paris 1.58”, San Antonio 1.55”, Temple 1.77”, Tyler 1.70”, Victoria 1.24”, and Waco with 4.91 inches. On the 25^th, College Station attained 1.36”, Longview 1.73”, Tyler 1.12”, and a record breaking 6.18 inches of precipitation was reported in Corpus Christi.

Numerous severe weather reports were made to the Storm Prediction Center, with large hail on the 19^th, 22^nd, 23^rd, and 25^th. In Throckmorton, Haskell, and Wilson Counties 4 spotter reported tornadoes occurred on the 23^rd. Sunday the 25^th, was another eventful day for severe weather with 14 large hail reports, and 8 high wind reports in the High Plains region. After the cold front exited the state, it left it its wake cooler, drier temperatures, and clear skies.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of April 26, 2004: Cooler, drier conditions will prevail through Wednesday in Texas as a result of the last cold front passage. Temperatures will be pleasant with highs in the 80’s, and lows in the 50’s and 60’s. In Deep South Texas the mercury might rise into the lower 90’s by Friday. From Thursday and through the weekend, the chance of precipitation returns to the forecast with the next approaching storm system.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Kelsey Curtiss (Graduate Assistant)