Volume 15 Number 4.3 April 22, 2002

Warm conditions will prevail over the state this week as spring- time temperatures continue to dominate. Last week, the passage of a warm front and approaching dry line caused many supercells to pound the Fort Worth area on Tuesday. These storms spawned several tornadoes, resulting in numerous reports of serious damage around Arlington and surrounding areas. Temperatures remained in the normal to slightly above normal range for a majority of the week.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of April 22: The forecast is calling for temperatures to be slightly above normal through Friday, and becoming slightly below normal by the weekend. There is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms for the entire state for the majority of the week.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

Monthly Weather Outlook for May 2002

From the Climate Prediction Center: The 30-day outlook for the month of May indicates normal temperatures for the extreme eastern edge of the state. There is a 0-5% greater than normal probability of above average temperatures form the Panhandle southeastward through Abilene, Austin, and Victoria. There is a 5-10% greater probability from a line extending from Lubbock and southward, including the Edwards Plateau, southern, lower valley, and western south central regions. There is a greater than 10% probability for the Trans Pecos region to have above normal temperatures.

There is a 0-5% greater than normal probability of below normal precipitation for the Trans Pecos, the western edges of the High Plains, and the Edwards Plateau regions. There is a greater than 5% normal probability of below normal precipitation for the western counties in the Trans Pecos. A 0-5% greater than normal probability of above normal precipitation exists for the East and the eastern counties in the North Central regions.

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Andrew Odins (Graduate Assistant)

Kelsey Curtiss (Undergraduate Assistant)