Volume 16 Number 1 JANUARY 2003

The month of January of 2003 was considerably dry across the state. The city of Houston received 2.09 inches of rain, which was one of the highest precipitation totals for the state. Some areas, such as El Paso, and Wichita Falls, received only a trace for the month, creating a rain deficit for the month, and for 2003. Temperatures fluctuated quite often in Texas this month. Numerous arctic air masses moved over Texas cooling the state for a few days before moderating once again with the eastward shift in high pressure. Near record high maximum and low minimum temperatures were reported across the state as a result of the oscillation of temperatures.

JANUARY 2003

* Based on the 1971-2000 normals.

* Complete temperature data were unavailable. Temperatures are rounded to the nearest whole degree.

*HDD - Heating degree-day: Refer to the Monthly Average chart for a definition T = Trace (<0.005")

*CDD - Cooling degree-day: Refer to the Monthly Average chart for a definition M: Information not available.

CLIMATIC AVERAGES FOR FEBRUARY

Records are at the current site, other records may have occurred at previous sites.

*CDD - Cooling degree-day: The difference between the mean individual daily temperature and 65°F, with one

CDD resulting for each degree above the standard 65°F during one day.

*HDD - Heating degree-day: The difference between the mean individual daily temperature and 65°F, with one

HDD resulting for each degree below the standard 65°F during one day.

Agricultural Weather Highlights

AgNews - Texas A&M University Agriculture Program > News and Public Affairs

Past Weather Events in February

February 20-22, 1971: Blizzard. Panhandle. Paralyzing blizzard, worst since March 22-25, 1957. Storm transformed Panhandle into one vast snowfield as six to 26 inches of snow were whipped by 40 to 60 miles per hour winds into drifts up to 12 feet high. At Follet, three-day snowfall was 26 inches. Three persons killed; property and livestock losses were $3.1 million.

February 21, 1996: Anomalously high temperatures were reported over the entire state, breaking records in nearly every region of the state. Temperatures near 100ºF shattered previous records by as many as 10ºF as Texans experienced heat more characteristic of mid-summer than winter.

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Andrew Odins (Graduate Assistant)

Kelsey Curtiss (Undergraduate Assistant)