Volume 17 Number 10.1 October 15, 2004

Cooler temperatures and wet weather categorized the first two weeks of October 2004. A cold front began moving across the state on the 1^st, and heavy rainfall covered most of the state for the entire first week of the month. Between the 1^st and the 4^th, several stations recorded excessive rainfall including Austin (2.98” on the 2^nd), Dallas/Fort Worth (2.33” on the 4^th), and Wichita Falls (3.05” on the 1^st). Another cold front brought more rain to west Texas from the 4^th-7^th. Abilene, Amarillo, and Midland received at least 2.00” over those days, while Lubbock and San Angelo received over 1.00”. San Angelo had eight consecutive days with measurable precipitation to start off the month. Also on the 4^th, the Gulf Coast received some severe weather due to a low pressure system to the east of the state. A tornado was reported in Galveston County, and there were thirteen reports of hail.

The second week of October started out dry for most of the state except along the Gulf Coast where Galveston (2.54”) and Port Arthur (3.05”) were hit by rain bands from Tropical Depression Matthew which formed in the Gulf. Little happened for a few days before a strong cold front began to pass over the state on the 13^th. A tornado was reported in Scurry County on the 13^th, and strong storms moved quickly across the central portion of the state.

Due to the number of cold fronts, many stations are well below normal for their October temperatures. Abilene, Amarillo, and Midland are 3° below normal for the month to date; Lubbock is 2° below normal; and Wichita Falls and San Angelo are 1° below normal. The only stations above normal for the month to date are those along the Gulf Coast (Corpus Christi, Houston, Galveston, Port Arthur, and Victoria). All but four stations are above normal for precipitation to date, and several have already surpassed their monthly normal including: Abilene, Amarillo, Del Rio, Galveston, Lubbock, Midland, San Angelo, San Antonio, Victoria, and Waco.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of October 15th: The weekend will be beautiful across the state. In the western half, temperatures will climb to the low 80s with precipitation chances 0-10% for Saturday and Sunday, and lows will drop down to the low 50s. To the north, temperatures will reach the mid 80s with lows in the upper 50s and minimal chances for rain. Further south, temperatures will near 90 with mostly sunny skies. Another cold front will begin to move across the state on Monday, and precipitation chances will increase to 20-30% across the state beginning on Monday.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Michael Hammer (Undergraduate Assistant)