Volume 17 Number 7.2 July 26, 2004

Typical summer weather was interrupted at the end of the third full week of July in Texas. A high pressure system prevented any wet weather from forming. Out west, several stations – Del Rio, El Paso, and Wichita Falls – reached 100°, and Dallas hit 100° for the first time this year on July 16^th. However, a shortwave trough to the north of the state helped move the high pressure system. On the 22^nd, a cold front began to slowly move across the state which dropped temperatures and rain on many stations. From the 22^nd-25^th: Amarillo received 2.35”, College Station recorded 1.74”, Midland had 1.00” fall, Lubbock got 0.73”, and several others – including Abilene, Austin, and El Paso – received at least 0.20”. Temperatures plummeted on the 24^th and 25^th with highs in the 60s and 70s throughout the northern half of Texas. Abilene (70°), Amarillo (65°), Dallas (80°), Lubbock (64°), San Angelo (80°), and Wichita Falls (73°) were all well below their normal July temperatures.

For the month, most stations remain well below their normal July precipitation including: Dallas (-1.74”), Del Rio (-1.62”), Galveston (-2.37”), Houston (-2.21”), and Port Arthur (-3.01”). For the entire month, Del Rio has only received a trace of rainfall, Dallas only has 0.02”, and Waco has only gotten 0.01”.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of July 26: Large portions of the state look to receive more showers as the frontal boundary remains stationary for a few days. In the northern and central Texas, temperatures will remain cooler than normal, and skies will be partly cloudy with a chance of showers. By the weekend, skies will clear with highs in the 90s and lows in the 70s. Along the coast, skies will be partly-to-mostly cloudy with highs in the 90s and increasing chances of showers throughout the week. In the south, chances of showers will decrease during the week, and temperatures will warm up to the mid-90s and near 100 by the weekend. In the western portion of the state, highs will be in the 90s with decreasing rain chances as the week progresses.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Michael Hammer (Undergraduate Assistant)