Volume 17 Number 5.1 May 10, 2004

The beginning of May featured warm temperatures and mostly dry weather. The tail end of a cold front associated with a low pressure system to the north of the state brought very heavy rains to the eastern half of Texas on the 1^st. Precipitation totals exceeded 1” in Dallas, Galveston, and Port Arthur; over 2.5” inches fell in Houston and Waco; and Tyler and Longview received over 3”. Following the passage of the cold front, a high pressure system moved in, and temperatures warmed significantly. El Paso received maximum temperatures over 92° for five straight days, and several other stations in West Texas topped 90°. Across the state, daily average temperatures were 5-10 degrees above normal during the first full week of May. Isolated showers on the 8^th and 9^th brought some rain to various parts of the state.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of May 10^th: Warm, wet weather is the trend for the state during the second week of May. In South Central Texas and the Upper Coast, highs will be in the lower 80s with cloudy skies and precipitation probabilities from 30-50% each day while lows will be the 60s. To the north, skies will be partly cloudy and the rain chances will increase throughout the week, but temperatures will be warm with highs in the 80s and lows in the upper 60s near 70 for most of the week. In the Lower Valley and South Texas, skies will be mostly cloudy and chances for rain will be high all week. Highs will be in the mid 80s to lower 90s, and lows will remain in the 70s.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Michael Hammer (Undergraduate Assistant)