Volume 18 Number 3.1 March 21, 2005

The week of March 14, 2005 started off with below normal temperatures through most of Texas courtesy of a frontal boundary that pushed south to Mexico. Flakes of snow fell in the far northern panhandle with the chilly air in place. Temperatures in Texas modified to more normal levels for this time of year by the end of the week. Precipitation was generally at a minimum throughout the week, but a front pushing through on Saturday brought a round of severe weather to the Eastern, South Central, and Upper Coastal regions of Texas.

Saturday, March 19, 2005 was an active day in southeast Texas with numerous reports of large hail. A frontal boundary pushing through Southeast Texas provided lift for many of these thunderstorms to develop. Twenty-seven reports of large hail were documented, with a report out of Caldwell of 2.00” hail covering the ground. Lemon-sized hail was reported in College Station. Earlier in the week, 1.75” hail was reported at Cushing on March 14 and Ozona on March 15.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of March 21, 2005: Precipitation for the week will be limited to a chance of storms in the Eastern half of Texas on Monday, with dry weather prevailing across the state the rest of the week. High temperatures in the panhandle will range from the upper 50s to lower 60s most of the week, with temperatures in the 70s on Thursday. Temperatures in the Low Rolling Plains, North Central, and East Texas regions will be in the upper 60s to middle 70s throughout the week. High temperatures in the Trans Pecos region will hover around 70 the entire week. Highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s at the beginning of the week in the Edwards Plateau, South Central, and Upper Coastal regions will cool to around 70 by the end of the week. Highs will be in the 80s the entire week in the Southern and Lower Valley regions of Texas.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

MONTHLY OUTLOOK FOR APRIL 2004: From the Climate Prediction Center, the entire state of Texas has equal chances of experiencing below normal, normal, or above normal precipitation. However, the Low Rolling Plains, Edwards Plateau, and Southern regions have a greater than 40% chance of below normal temperatures in April. The High Plains, North Central, Trans Pecos, South Central, and Lower Valley regions have a 33-40% probability of below normal temperatures. The Upper Coast and East Texas have equal chances for below normal, normal, and above normal temperatures.

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Brent McRoberts (Graduate Assistant)