Volume 19 Number 11 NOVEMBER 2006

Temperatures were well above average, while precipitation was well below average this November. With the exception of two stations that reported no departure from normal mean temperature (Port Arthur and Galveston), all of the state reported above average mean temperatures. The largest departure for normal was in Del Rio with a departure from the mean of 3.9°F. West Texas was usually warm with departures from normal of 3.7°F in Amarillo, Abilene, and San Angelo, 3.8°F in El Paso, and 3.3°F in Abilene. Record highs were set in Abilene and San Angelo on the 9^th with high temperatures of 90°F and 91°F, respectively. Record highs were set in Austin, Del Rio, Houston, and College Station on the 10^th. Lubbock broke the all-time November high with a high of 90°F on November 8^th. This high broke a 90-year-old record set on November 7, 1916, when the high was 89°F. The statewide mean temperature was 57.9°F, which is 2.5°F above the normal of 55.4°F.

Rainfall was also very limited this month. Dallas/Fort Worth was the only station to report at least average precipitation. Two stations, San Angelo and Del Rio, reported on 1% of their normal precipitation total. Midland only reported a trace of rainfall. Out of the 19 Texas stations only 3 reported precipitation of at least 50% of normal. The bulk of this rainfall fell in the period of 29^th and 30^th as a very strong cold front moved across the state dropping temperatures into the teens in the Panhandle and to near freezing as far south as Houston. The averaged total precipitation for the entire state was 0.81”, which is -1.11” below normal. This November was the 16^th driest on record.

Comparing the reported values to the forecast for November issued by the Climate Prediction Center (CPC; http://www.met.tamu.edu/met/osc/tx/Oct1Bull06.htm), we can see that the forecast was erroneous. The CPC predicted above average precipitation and slightly below average temperatures for most of the state, but neither verified. An El Nino is forecast for this winter, which most likely influenced the CPC’s forecast. Yet, this November did not indicate the winter patterns usually seen during an El Nino. However, the onset of an El Nino can occur rapidly. The CPC’s 3-month forecasts has an increased chance of above average precipitation for all of the state. We will just have to wait and see if the El Nino occurs and the state receives above average precipitation.

NOVEMBER 2006

* Complete temperature data were unavailable. Temperatures are rounded to the nearest whole degree.

*HDD - Heating degree-day: Refer to the Monthly Average chart for a definition T = Trace (<0.005")

*CDD - Cooling degree-day: Refer to the Monthly Average chart for a definition M: Information not available.

CLIMATIC AVERAGES FOR DECEMBER

Records are at the current site, other records may have occurred at previous sites.

*CDD - Cooling degree-day: The difference between the mean individual daily temperature and 65°F, with one

CDD resulting for each degree above the standard 65°F during one day.

*HDD - Heating degree-day: The difference between the mean individual daily temperature and 65°F, with one

HDD resulting for each degree below the standard 65°F during one day.

All times given for sunrise, sunset, and moon phase times are calculated for the intersection of

Meridian 99°10' W and parallel 31°23' N, which is the approximate geographic center of the state.

Agricultural Weather Highlights

http://agnews.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/CROP/

Past Weather Events in November

Nov. 23-24, 1974: Flash Flooding. Central Texas. Over $1 million in property damage. Thirteen people killed, ten in Travis county.

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Matt Mosier (Undergraduate Assistant)