Volume 16 Number 2.1 February 10, 2003

The week of February 3^rd brought unusually cool weather to Texas. Some areas received their first snowfall since the 1990’s. The week began with a cold front situated in the middle of the state. Temperatures ranged from the upper 30’s in the panhandle to the lower 80’s in the lower valley. Behind the cold front temperatures slightly moderated, with a majority of the state holding in the 50’s as highs through Wednesday. This frontal system was quite dry with only very small amounts of precipitation reported. A low pressure system developed in the northern portion of the state on Thursday the 6^th, and brought with it a stationary front which helped to trigger light rain showers. Behind this low pressure was a very strong arctic frontal system which trekked across the state Thursday and Friday dropping temperatures 15-25 degrees. Friday and Saturday brought wintery precipitation to Texas, with some areas receiving their first snowfall in nearly 10 years. High temperatures ranged from the mid 30’s in the panhandle to the low 50’s in the lower valley region on Friday and Saturday. Low temperatures on Friday and Saturday ranged from the single digits in the panhandle, to near 40 in the lower valley region.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of February 10, 2003: For the North Central region: highs will be in the upper 50’s to mid 60’s, with lows in the upper 30’s to mid 40’s. Thursday’s highs will be in the lower 70’s with a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday. The High Plains/Low Rolling Plains regions can expect highs in the 50’s, and lows from the upper 20’s to lower 30’s. Wednesday the high temperature will increase to the upper 50’s and lower 60’s, and lows in the upper 30’s , with a chance of showers on Thursday. The region of the Trans Pecos will have highs in the 60’s and lows in the upper 20’s to lower 30’s, warming to lows in the lower to upper 30’s by Tuesday night. There is a chance for showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday through Friday. The Edwards Plateau can be expected to experience highs in the 60’s and lows in the upper 30’s to low 40’s, and warming to lows in the upper 40’s by Thursday. There is a chance of thunderstorms and showers on Thursday. In the South Central region, highs will be in the mid 60’s to lower 70’s and lows in the mid 30’s to lower 40’s. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms from Tuesday through Friday. Highs will cool off a bit on Wednesday with temperatures in the mid 50’s. The Upper Coast and Southeastern regions of Texas can expect highs in the mid 60’s and lows in the mid 40’s to 50. Thunderstorms and showers remain in the forecast from Tuesday through Friday. Deep Southern Texas has a chance of thunderstorms Thursday and Friday, with highs in the lower 70’s and lows in the low 60’s. Highs near 70 and lows in the mid 40’s to lower 50’s will characterize the Southern region of Texas. A chance of showers and thunderstorms exists from Tuesday through Friday.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Kelsey Curtiss (Undergraduate Assistant)