Volume 16 Number 9.3 September 24, 2003

Temperatures were seasonable last week as cloud cover from the approaching cold front kept highs in the 80’s for the most part. The cold front marched across the state on Wednesday and Thursday, and turned stationary on Friday in the Lower Valley region. Beaumont/Port Arthur, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Houston, and McAllen reaped the benefits of the front. Numerous flood watches were in effect on Saturday as nearly 5 inches of rain fell in some areas on Friday. Port Isabel, Texas received nearly 12 inches of rain resulting from the stationary front and disturbances training along the front. Rainfall totals from Friday are as follows: Brownsville- 4.76”, and McAllen- 3.25”.

On Sunday, a low-pressure system moved along the stationary front and brought 4.23 inches of precipitation to Beaumont/Port Arthur, and 1.20 inches of precipitation to Houston and Galveston respectively.

Concerning severe weather, there was only one incident that occurred on September 14^th. A spotter reported a weak tornado in Nueces County to the Storm Prediction Center. This tornado was more than likely a result of the cold front that passed through the area on Sunday the 14^th.

Forecast for the Week

For the week of September 22: High temperatures in the Panhandle will be in the middle 70’s and lows in the middle 40’s. The remainder of the state should expect high temperatures in the low 80’s and lows in the upper 50’s to lower 60’s, with the exception of the Upper Texas Coast, with lows in the lower 70’s.

It appears as though Texas will experience its first “cold weather blast” on Monday and Tuesday of next week with a cold front making its way from Canada. Temperatures will be more fall-like, with highs in the 70’s and lows in the 50’s and 60’s.

(Forecast material obtained from the National Weather Service)

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (State Climatologist)

Kelsey Curtiss (Undergraduate Assistant)