Volume 16 Number 11.2 November 24, 2003

The week of November 17^th was characterized by severe weather and unseasonably warm conditions. Friday, and Saturday saw many 80-degree readings, ahead of an approaching cold front.

The 17^th of November brought severe weather to the Upper Coast, and Central Texas areas with nearly 30 reports of tornadoes to the Storm Prediction Center. In Fort Bend County, there were nearly 50 injuries in the city of Meadows with major damage reported to one home and damage to several other homes. Wharton, Matagorda, Fort Bend, Harris, Galveston, Chambers, Liberty, Newton, Jasper, and Jefferson counties reported tornadoes on November 17, 2003. In Jefferson County, there was a 69 mile per hour wind gust reported on the 17^th as well. This severe weather event was a result of a cold front that passed through the area on the night of the 17^th.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of November 24^th:

The first half of the week, through Tuesday will be unseasonably cold with temperatures across the state in the 40’s and 50’s. Temperatures will dip down below or near the freezing mark on Monday night in most areas. By Wednesday, a warming trend will occur with the chance of showers and thunderstorms creeping back into the forecast with highs in the 60’s and 70’s across the state. Thanksgiving Day will be seasonable with highs in the 50’s and 60’s. The weekend forecast looks nice with temperatures in the 60’s, and a slight chance of showers on Sunday with the next approaching cold front.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

Monthly Outlook for December 2003: From the Climate Prediction Center there is a 40% probability of the majority of Texas (with the exception of El Paso) experiencing above normal temperatures for the month of December. The western portion of the Trans Pecos region can expect a greater than 40% chance of above normal temperatures.

From Abilene to Dallas/Fort Worth, and north to Wichita Falls along the Red River, there is a greater than 40% chance of experiencing above normal precipitation for December. There is also a greater than 40% chance of greater than normal precipitation for the Austin area, and Waco as well. The Southern High Plains, Edwards Plateau, Southern South Central, Upper Coast, and Eastern regions of Texas have a 33%-40% probability of receiving above normal precipitation. El Paso, Laredo, Corpus Christi, and Brownsville have equal chances of experiencing above normal, normal, or below normal precipitation.

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Kelsey Curtiss (Undergraduate Assistant)