Texas Climate Report: March 1998

Observations of both temperature and precipitation broke records in all regions of the state -- mostly during the second half of the month. Below normal temperatures engulfed the entire state in March, particularly in the High and Low Rolling Plains. Much of the state received above normal precipitation, however below normal conditions existed in West Texas and near or slightly below normal conditions occurred in parts of Central and Southeast Texas.

The first week of March saw Texas with negative temperature departures throughout the northern half of the state, and positive departures in the southern half. Of the first-order stations across the state, Brownsville claimed the highest temperature (88°F) while Amarillo, Lubbock and Midland observed the lowest temperature (21°F) during the first week. Beaumont was the only location that received more than an inch of precipitation through the 7th as 2.60" of rain fell, fueled by the Gulf moisture.

Cold air and strong winds whipped through the Lone Star State on the 8th, reminding the residents that the winter season was not yet over. Freezing temperatures were observed as far south as Houston and Victoria. Wind chill temperatures were extremely uncomfortable since the cold air was accompanied by strong wind gusts reaching speeds of 45 mph in many locales. The vigorous low pressure system and associated cold front spawned severe thunderstorms across the southern half of Texas, producing large hail and destructive winds. The record for daily rainfall amount on the 8th was broken at Corpus Christi early in the morning when 0.89" of rain fell from these storms. On the 9th, Dalhart recorded Texas' lowest temperature for the month (13°F).

Negative temperature departures were spatially vast, but not as extreme throughout the third week of March. More severe weather hit the entire state during the middle of the week, producing damaging tornadoes and breaking precipitation records. Del Rio (15th), Austin (16th) and San Antonio (16th) all set new daily precipitation records after receiving 0.93", 1.34", and 1.23" respectively. Tornadoes touched down in Collin County on the 17th and in Swisher County on the 18th. Gusts of near 70 mph from thunderstorms produced damage in Grayson County, also on the 18th.

Much warmer air resided over Texas throughout the final ten days of the month and caused a breakout of spring fever. Temperature departures nearly reached double-digits in the High Plains over this period. More records were set, this time with temperature rather than precipitation. Midland, Lubbock and San Angelo each set records on the 23rd after observing maximum temperatures of 90°F, 84°F and 87°F respectively. Two days later, Amarillo (87°F) tied its maximum daily temperature record, as did Lubbock (90°F) once again. Very little precipitation fell during the latter part of the month since the state was dominated by warm, dry air until another frontal system passed on the 29th. The trailing air mass caused temperatures to drop and one more record to be broken as El Paso set a new record on the 30th for lowest maximum temperature (50°F).

Monthly Summary for Selected Cities

Monthly Extremes

New Monthly Records

Climatic Averages for April