Volume 16 Number 10.1 October 10, 2003

Severe weather characterized the week of October 5^th, as 7 tornadoes were reported across the state in 4 days. On the 5^th of October in Bryan, Texas, a tornado was reported to have damaged numerous homes in the area. Minor street flooding occurred with 2.36 inches of precipitation falling in a short time. In the High Plains and Low Rolling Plains regions, 2.75-inch hail fell in both Floyd and Swisher Counties. In Odessa, eighty mile an hour winds from thunderstorms occurred as well.

College Station received more rain on the 6^th with 0.81 inches, and Hockley County was pounded with 2.00-inch hail. The first tornado occurred in Harris County on the 8^th when a waterspout moved onshore damaging trees and windows. On the 9^th, two tornadoes hit Fort Bend County, while the counties of Liberty, Harris, Wharton, and Brazoria each saw one. Heavy rainfall fell on the 9^th over East Texas and most of the Upper Coast. Waco set a record with 3.36 inches, and Houston Intercontinental (3.60 inches) and College Station (3.01 inches) also tallied over three inches for the day. Other high rainfall areas included Galveston (1.62 inches), Beaumont/Port Arthur (2.24 inches), and San Angelo (1.32 inches).

The severe weather that hit on the 5^th and 6^th was most likely the effects of a stalled stationary front over much of the state. The remnants of Tropical Storm Olaf combined with the Gulf moisture being pulled into the area was the probable cause of the high rainfall totals and tornadic activity on the 9^th.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of October 13th: The High Plains and Low Rolling Plains regions, high temperatures should remain fall-like with highs in the 70’s and lows in the upper 40’s to lower 50’s. Highs in the lower to mid 80’s and lows in the mid 50’s, will characterize the Trans Pecos region, and the Edwards Plateau. South Central Texas and the Upper Texas Coast can expect highs in the 80’s and lows in the 60’s to near 70. High temperatures in the 80’s and lows in the 70’s will occur in Deep South Texas this week, as well as a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms on Columbus Day. Partly cloudy conditions will dominate most of the state.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Kelsey Curtiss (Undergraduate Assistant)

Michael Hammer (Undergraduate Assistant)