Volume 16 Number 3.2 March 18, 2003

The week of March 11^th brought beautiful warm and dry weather to Texas. Highs ranged from the upper 60’s and lower to mid 70’s, and lows from the 20’s in the Panhandle to the 60’s in Deep South Texas. By the middle of the week many areas were reporting temperatures in the 80’s. A low pressure system sparked rain showers in many areas of eastern and coastal areas with Beaumont/Port Arthur reporting 0.68”, Lufkin-0.42”, Paris-0.50”, and Victoria with 0.03” of precipitation. The week came to a close with highs continuing in the 70’s and 80’s across the state, and lows ranging from the lower 30’s in the Panhandle region to the 60’s in the coastal areas.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of March 18, 2003: Most regions in Texas can expect high temperatures in the upper 60’s and lower 70’s, and lows in the 40’s, with the exception of the Panhandle and Deep South Texas. The Panhandle should expect highs in the upper 50’s and lower 60’s, and lows in the 30’s with a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday and Saturday. The Deep South Texas region can expect highs in the 80’s, and lows in the upper 50’s and lower 60s, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Saturday.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

April 2003 Outlook

From the Climate Prediction Center, there is 0-5% greater than normal probability of above normal temperatures for the Panhandle, and Trans Pecos regions, including Midland, Abilene, and Wichita Falls. There is a greater than 5% probability of above normal temperatures for a swath in the middle of the above mentioned regions, including the communities of El Paso, Lubbock, and Amarillo. There is a 0-5% greater than normal probability of below normal temperatures for the Southern, Lower Valley, South Central regions, as well as the southern majority of the East region. There is a greater than 5% probability of below normal temperatures for the Upper Coast region including Houston, Beaumont, and Victoria. Equal probabilities exist for areas not listed. There is a 0-5% chance of above normal precipitation for the Trans Pecos and extreme western edge of the Panhandle area. There is a greater than 5% probability of above normal precipitation for the extreme western edge of the Trans Pecos region including El Paso. Equal chances exist elsewhere in the state.

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Andrew Odins (Graduate Assistant)

Kelsey Curtiss (Undergraduate Assistant)