Volume 13 Number 10                                                                          OCTOBER 2000

The month of October brought much needed relief for much of the state. While temperatures were still above normal for all but five first order stations, 13 out of 19 stations recorded above average precipitation, reducing the year-to-date rain deficits at these sites. Abilene recorded the most precipitation in the state (7.01 inches), with 3.47 inches falling in one 24-hour period.

As a result of the excess rainfall during the month, much of Texas has been downgraded to Mild to Moderate Drought conditions (Long Term Palmer Index). However, the upper coast remains in Severe Drought conditions, corresponding to the lack of rainfall received in that part of the state in October (see maps below). Port Arthur received only 30% of its normal monthly precipitation, and Galveston only 57%. November could bring a change to this situation as the entire state is predicted to have at least normal rainfall, with the northern part of the state forecasted to have greater-than-normal rain (Climate Prediction Center).

October began with temperatures well into the 90s for much of Texas. However, on the 5^th, an intense arctic cold front moved into the Panhandle and continued through the state, dropping maximum temperatures into the 40s and 50s on the 9^th. Most of the precipitation associated with this front fell after the frontal passage. Texarkana received 1.36 inches of rain on the 6^th, and Brownsville recorded 1.64 inches on the 7^th, both after the front had moved through. By the 11^th, temperatures began to warm back up into the 60s and 70s throughout the state.

On the 16^th, a low pressure system formed over western Oklahoma and pushed a weak cold front through the state. Although temperatures did not dramatically drop, this front was enough to trigger precipitation as it moved south. Six stations recorded over an inch of rain during this time. For the rest of the month, temperatures remained in the 70s and 80s for the majority of Texas. In the western portions of the state, however, temperatures fluctuated as a series of low pressure disturbances moved into the area. These disturbances triggered widespread precipitation through the end of October.

Kerry Meyer (Undergraduate Assistant)
 
 

* 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.

Agricultural Weather Highlights

The first week of October produced poor to average peanut crops due to past drought conditions. High temperatures caused the plants to lose more water than was received, which then caused the plants' inability to reproduce. Dr. Calvin Trostle, Extension specialist in Lubbock, felt that water availability and quality were the greatest challenges to the crop. "What really hurt farmers was the increase in salinity," he said. "As water levels decrease, the salinity level goes up. Many farmers dug early, because high salinity creates a weak link between the peanuts and the vine. When vines break down, farmers run the risk of leaving the peanut in the ground when they dig." District Extension director Galen Chandler in Vernon said the cotton harvest was progressing slowly. "Cotton seems to be difficult to defoliate," he said. "Many producers will wait for a killing freeze before harvesting. Insurance crop adjusters have been checking fields for disaster, and many fields have been shredded and plowed."

Cooler weather in mid-October stopped cotton development in the Panhandle. Extension director Dr. Bob Robinson of Amarillo said," Most of the district's crops were unable to be saved due to drought. The cool front didn't change that." Pasture and range conditions improved in the Uvalde area, but it was doubted that sufficient livestock overwintering forage would be produced with such late precipitation. The South Plains received up to one inch of rain along with some hail according to Extension director Jett Major of Lubbock. He said the cotton harvest had been halted due to rain and humidity. Also, farmers were waiting for a hard freeze so cotton could be harvested with less harvest aide costs in the crop.

Ranked fourth in United States pumpkin production, Texas was expected to produce 5,000 to 8,000 acres this year. Floyd county Extension agent J.D. Ragland said West Texas pumpkin producers had to rely heavily on irrigation this year, because the region received little rainfall. Pumpkins normally need 18-20 inches of moisture per year. He said the dry weather eliminated insect, fungus, and disease problems.

Winter vegetables were making excellent progress towards the end of October. This month's rains gave the vegetables a strong start according to Joe Pena, Extension economist in Uvalde. "The October rains and cool weather were excellent," he said. "Leafy vegetables, generally speaking, like cool weather, and the rains allowed us to catch up. Those who have been planting are making excellent progress. Harvest of carrots, cabbage, spinach, pickling cucumbers, broccoli, beets, and beans is expected to gain momentum by the second week of November with some cabbage already being harvested.

Darcy Dittman

Office of the State Climatologist
 
 

Material obtained from:

TAMU Extension Crop, Livestock and Weather reports
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monthly Weather Outlook for November 2000

From the Climate Prediction Center, the 30-day outlook for the month of November indicates normal temperatures for the area north of a line from Houston to Midland/Odessa. South of a line from Del Rio to Corpus Christi, climatologists are forecasting a 5-10% greater than normal probability of above-average temperatures. In between these two lines, there is a 0-5% greater than normal probability of above-average temperatures.

South of an arc from Midland/Odessa, through San Antonio and up to Houston, climatologists are predicting normal precipitation. North of an arc from through Amarillo, Abilene, Waco, and just south of Texarkana, predictions are for a 5-10% greater than normal probability for above-average precipitation. In between these two lines, there is a 0-5% greater than normal probability of above-average precipitation.

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)

Darcy Dittman (Undergraduate Assistant)

Kerry Meyer (Undergraduate Assistant)