Volume 18 Number 8.1 August 23, 2005

The first half of August was wet for many parts of Texas while the rain completed skipped others. Wichita Falls is 5.78” above normal for the month and had some very rainy days ( 3.65” on the 14^th and 1.58” on the 16^th) and El Paso is 3.51” above normal with 2.26” on the 12^th. On the other hand, the coast is not getting the sea breeze showers which are usually expected. Corpus Christi is 2.26” below normal for the month. Houston and Galveston are both low with 1.75” and 2.19” below normal, respectively.

The temperatures around the state have been fairly normal. Laredo is 2.7° above normal, with highs over 100 every day of the month but two, while Abilene is 3.5° cooler than normal. In the many areas around the state temperatures are slightly higher than at the beginning of the month due to the rain that fell during the first half of the month.

To this date, this August has been a quiet month in terms of storm reports. No tornadoes, one or two hail reports, and around 10 wind reports represent very little in terms of stormy weather.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of Aug 22: No real changes in sight. Temperatures for the entire state look to be in the high 90s to 100s. The coolest temperatures will be in Far West Texas with highs in the lower 90s while the Rio Grande Plains look to have the highest temperatures with highs expected around 105. Chances for rain will be slim with the highest chances around 20-30%, due to sea breeze showers, in and surrounding Houston.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

Monthly Outlook for September 2005

From the Climate Prediction Center: The outlook for the month of September is unclear. The entire state has equal chances of above normal, normal, or below normal precipitation for September. Also, the entire state has equal chances of above normal, normal, or below normal temperatures.

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Matt Mosier (underGraduate Assistant)