Volume 17 Number 3.2 March 18, 2004

The week of March 8, 2004 was quite a cloudy week in Texas. A frontal boundary in South Central Texas kept much of the state under a thick cloud cover most of the week. Showers and thunderstorms were abundant toward the latter half of the week. High temperatures were generally in the 60’s and 70’s, with the exception of the north western portion of the state in the 50’s on the 11^th and 12^th.

There were very few severe weather reports for the week of March 8, 2004. A boundary in West Texas provided lift for many thunderstorms to develop on the 14^th. Eight reports of large hail were reported in the Trans Pecos region, the largest being 1.75 inch hail in Ozona, Texas, in Crockett County.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of March 15, 2004: The majority of Texas can expect high temperatures in the upper 70’s to lower 80’s with a chance of rainfall increasing to about 20-30% by Sunday with an approaching cold front. Low temperatures will generally be in the upper 50’s in the Panhandle, and 60’s elsewhere. A cold front will cross the state on Sunday bringing with it cooler, drier weather for the beginning of the workweek.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

MONTHLY OUTLOOK FOR APRIL 2004: From the Climate Prediction Center, both the temperature and precipitation outlook portray that the entire state of Texas has equal chances of experiencing below normal, normal, or above normal temperatures and precipitation.

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Kelsey Curtiss (Graduate Assistant)