Texas Climate Report: December 2001
The final month of 2001 saw considerable variations in the weather; from near record warmth to near record cold, from very dry to unusually wet, most regions around the state experienced an extreme range of conditions. All the primary stations, with the exception of El Paso, experienced above normal mean temperatures; however, precipitation was mixed throughout the state, with western and extreme southern areas receiving less than normal rainfall. Following a very warm beginning of the month, extremely cold temperatures fell across the state as well as snowfall and ice. Lubbock received 1.0" of snow on the 30th, Amarillo had 2.0", and Waco saw a trace of snow.
The month began with extremely warm temperatures. Some communities experienced mean temperature anomalies greater than 15°F. The majority of precipitation also fell during the first part of December as a few cold fronts passed through the state. However, there was little in the way of cold air that followed the fronts. Warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico along with an upper level disturbance helped to deliver 2.12" of rain to Victoria on the 2nd, and 0.86" and 0.82" to San Antonio and Austin, respectively.
Following the passage of a cold front on the 7th, temperatures were brought closer to average. This was short-lived, however, when a strong cold front pushed through the state on the 12th, bringing much cooler temperatures and copious amounts of precipitation to several communities. Houston received 4.21" between the 11th and the 13th and Longview received 3.05" during this period. The passage of another front on the 16th helped to keep temperatures near normal, but delivered more precipitation to some areas that had all they wanted, including Texarkana which got 4.91" between the 15th and 17th.
During the latter part of the month, little precipitation fell, but temperatures did. A strong cold front passed through the state on the 22nd, dropping temperature as much as 20°F in some southern communities. The cold air lingered through the end of the month, and on the 30th a stationary front situated in New Mexico helped to deliver some snow to a few of the Western and Northern communities.
Monthly Summary for Selected Cities
| |
TMAX (°F) |
TMIN (°F) |
TAVG (°F) |
PRCP |
*Deg. Days |
| Station |
Mean |
*Dep. |
Max. |
Mean |
*Dep. |
Min. |
Mean |
*Dep. |
Days ≥ 0.01" |
Mo. Total |
*Perc. Norm. |
Gr'st 24 hr. |
*HDD |
*CDD |
| Abilene |
58.7 |
+1.7 |
74 |
37.0 |
+3.1 |
24 |
47.8 |
+2.3 |
1 |
0.98 |
95% |
0.98 |
527 |
2 |
| Amarillo |
54.3 |
+4.2 |
72 |
26.5 |
+2.8 |
17 |
40.4 |
+3.5 |
3 |
0.23 |
53% |
0.14 |
755 |
0 |
| Austin |
63.3 |
+1.3 |
78 |
44.3 |
+3.1 |
32 |
53.8 |
+2.2 |
11 |
4.62 |
246% |
1.52 |
365 |
24 |
| Brownsville |
74.3 |
+2.6 |
84 |
54.4 |
+2.0 |
35 |
64.4 |
+2.3 |
8 |
1.02 |
82% |
0.41 |
116 |
103 |
| College Station |
64.4 |
+2.9 |
81 |
42.7 |
+1.5 |
28 |
53.5 |
+2.1 |
10 |
3.55 |
125% |
1.00 |
380 |
30 |
| Corpus Christi |
68.7 |
+0.4 |
80 |
51.5 |
+3.1 |
35 |
60.1 |
+1.8 |
8 |
1.66 |
132% |
0.80 |
202 |
56 |
| Dallas‑Fort Worth |
59.5 |
+2.0 |
76 |
39.4 |
+3.1 |
26 |
49.4 |
+2.5 |
7 |
3.24 |
176% |
1.90 |
489 |
13 |
| Del Rio |
65.1 |
+1.6 |
84 |
43.0 |
+2.4 |
28 |
54.1 |
+2.0 |
7 |
0.35 |
57% |
0.15 |
343 |
14 |
| El Paso |
56.2 |
‑1.3 |
72 |
29.2 |
‑1.5 |
19 |
42.7 |
‑1.4 |
2 |
0.13 |
23% |
0.13 |
684 |
0 |
| Galveston |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
11 |
2.51 |
72% |
0.93 |
N/A |
N/A |
| Houston |
65.8 |
+1.1 |
81 |
46.1 |
+3.9 |
30 |
55.9 |
+2.4 |
11 |
6.18 |
179% |
3.19 |
311 |
40 |
| Lubbock |
55.3 |
+1.2 |
68 |
29.7 |
+2.5 |
21 |
42.5 |
+1.9 |
2 |
0.13 |
25% |
0.13 |
688 |
0 |
| Midland |
57.0 |
‑1.4 |
72 |
32.4 |
+1.6 |
20 |
44.7 |
+0.1 |
3 |
0.10 |
18% |
0.05 |
619 |
0 |
| Port Arthur |
66.0 |
+1.8 |
78 |
47.5 |
+3.2 |
30 |
56.7 |
+2.4 |
10 |
2.24 |
47% |
0.64 |
285 |
36 |
| San Angelo |
60.2 |
+1.2 |
73 |
34.9 |
+1.9 |
21 |
47.5 |
+1.5 |
3 |
0.14 |
18% |
0.08 |
534 |
2 |
| San Antonio |
64.4 |
+0.9 |
79 |
43.1 |
+2.3 |
30 |
53.7 |
+1.5 |
11 |
3.43 |
227% |
0.98 |
367 |
26 |
| Victoria |
66.9 |
+0.9 |
80 |
47.9 |
+2.7 |
34 |
57.4 |
+1.8 |
9 |
3.52 |
173% |
2.08 |
270 |
43 |
| Waco |
60.7 |
+1.4 |
76 |
41.2 |
+3.9 |
26 |
51.0 |
+2.7 |
11 |
4.03 |
217% |
2.82 |
446 |
19 |
| Wichita Falls |
56.9 |
+2.0 |
76 |
34.4 |
+3.6 |
18 |
45.6 |
+2.8 |
3 |
1.10 |
85% |
0.93 |
595 |
2 |
| Shreveport, LA |
61.3 |
+2.8 |
78 |
40.8 |
+3.5 |
26 |
51.0 |
+3.0 |
8 |
6.10 |
149% |
3.94 |
441 |
16 |
*Dep.: Departure of the monthly average temperature from the 1961-1990 monthly normal, which is provided by the National Climatic Data Center.
*Perc. Norm.: Monthly precipitation total divided by 1961-1990 monthly normal, which is provided by the National Climatic Data Center.
*Deg. Days: Computed daily as the departure of the daily average temperature from 65°F and aggregated over the entire month.
*Heating degree day (HDD): Each unit corresponds to a -1°F departure of a daily average temperature from 65°F.
*Cooling degree day (HDD): Each unit corresponds to a +1°F departure of a daily average temperature from 65°F.
|
Monthly Extremes
| Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| ALLISON |
WHEELER |
0.00 |
| ANDREWS |
ANDREWS |
0.00 |
| BALMORHEA |
REEVES |
0.00 |
| BIG BEND RCH SP |
PRESIDIO |
0.00 |
| BIG LAKE 2 |
REAGAN |
0.00 |
| BOQUILLAS RS |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
| BORGER |
HUTCHINSON |
0.00 |
| BRACKETTVILLE |
KINNEY |
0.00 |
| CASTOLON |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
| CHISOS BASIN |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
| CROWELL |
FOARD |
0.00 |
| DUMONT |
KING |
0.00 |
| ELDORADO 12 N |
SCHLEICHER |
0.00 |
| FLOMOT 4 NE |
MOTLEY |
0.00 |
| HIGGINS 1 N |
LIPSCOMB |
0.00 |
| HUMBLE PUMP STN 5 WN |
SUTTON |
0.00 |
| LIPAN |
PALO PINTO |
0.00 |
| MEMPHIS |
HALL |
0.00 |
| MENARD |
MENARD |
0.00 |
| MIDLAND 4 ENE |
MIDLAND |
0.00 |
| NORTHFIELD |
MOTLEY |
0.00 |
| PADUCAH 10S |
COTTLE |
0.00 |
| PANTHER JUNCTION |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
| PERSIMMON GAP |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
| PITCHFORK RCH |
DICKENS |
0.00 |
| POST |
GARZA |
0.00 |
| STUDY BUTTE |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
| TERLINGUA RCH |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
| Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| KOUNTZE |
HARDIN |
11.03 |
| Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours (inches) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| TERRELL |
KAUFMAN |
7.14 |
| Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| DALHART MUNI AP |
DALLAM |
36.4 |
| Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| PORT ISABEL |
CAMERON |
65.0 |
| Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| DALHART MUNI AP |
DALLAM |
50.9 |
| Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| SANTA ROSA 3 WNW |
HIDALGO |
75.6 |
| Highest Maximum Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| RIO GRANDE CITY |
STARR |
89 |
| SANTA ROSA 3 WNW |
HIDALGO |
89 |
| Lowest Maximum Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| EDINBURG |
HIDALGO |
6 |
| Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| LIPSCOMB |
LIPSCOMB |
20.8 |
| Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| PORT ISABEL |
CAMERON |
57.3 |
| Highest Minimum Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| BEAUMONT CITY |
JEFFERSON |
80 |
| Lowest Minimum Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
| BRAVO |
HARTLEY |
7 |
New Monthly Records
| Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
| ANDREWS |
ANDREWS |
0.00 |
0.00 (1996) |
40 |
| BALMORHEA |
REEVES |
0.00 |
0.00 (1999) |
74 |
| BIG LAKE 2 |
REAGAN |
0.00 |
0.00 (1996) |
32 |
| BOQUILLAS RS |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
0.00 (1998) |
47 |
| BORGER |
HUTCHINSON |
0.00 |
0.00 (1976) |
53 |
| BRACKETTVILLE |
KINNEY |
0.00 |
0.00 (1999) |
90 |
| CASTOLON |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
0.00 (1999) |
25 |
| CHISOS BASIN |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
0.00 (1999) |
55 |
| CROWELL |
FOARD |
0.00 |
0.00 (1996) |
78 |
| DUMONT |
KING |
0.00 |
0.00 (1998) |
29 |
| FLOMOT 4 NE |
MOTLEY |
0.00 |
0.00 (2000) |
48 |
| HIGGINS 1 N |
LIPSCOMB |
0.00 |
0.00 (1976) |
52 |
| HUMBLE PUMP STN 5 WN |
SUTTON |
0.00 |
0.00 (1996) |
43 |
| LIPAN |
PALO PINTO |
0.00 |
0.00 (1996) |
50 |
| MEMPHIS |
HALL |
0.00 |
0.00 (1981) |
85 |
| MENARD |
MENARD |
0.00 |
0.00 (1950) |
92 |
| MIDLAND 4 ENE |
MIDLAND |
0.00 |
0.00 (1999) |
75 |
| NORTHFIELD |
MOTLEY |
0.00 |
0.00 (1976) |
53 |
| PADUCAH 10S |
COTTLE |
0.00 |
0.00 (1998) |
28 |
| PANTHER JUNCTION |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
0.00 (1999) |
47 |
| PERSIMMON GAP |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
0.00 (1985) |
17 |
| PITCHFORK RCH |
DICKENS |
0.00 |
0.00 (1996) |
19 |
| POST |
GARZA |
0.00 |
0.00 (1998) |
81 |
| Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
| CHIRENO |
NACOGDOCHES |
8.35 |
7.95 (1992) |
13 |
| HOUSTON DEER PARK |
HARRIS |
8.58 |
8.40 (1949) |
53 |
| KOUNTZE |
HARDIN |
11.03 |
9.08 (1998) |
16 |
| ROSSER |
KAUFMAN |
9.61 |
8.88 (1991) |
59 |
| TERRELL |
KAUFMAN |
10.04 |
7.42 (1960) |
55 |
| WRIGHT PATMAN DAM |
CASS |
9.16 |
7.46 (1994) |
47 |
| Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours Ever in the Month (inches) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
| ALVARADO 4NE |
JOHNSON |
2.40 |
2.09 (1998) |
13 |
| BARDWELL DAM |
ELLIS |
6.40 |
4.60 (1997) |
35 |
| BROADDUS 1 NE |
SAN AUGUSTINE |
4.00 |
3.70 (1989) |
53 |
| FERRIS |
ELLIS |
5.20 |
4.50 (1985) |
50 |
| LUFKIN 11 NW |
ANGELINA |
4.57 |
3.06 (1994) |
19 |
| LUFKIN 2 |
ANGELINA |
4.16 |
3.67 (1995) |
12 |
| NACOGDOCHES |
NACOGDOCHES |
4.54 |
3.76 (1992) |
29 |
| NAVARRO MILLS DAM |
NAVARRO |
4.70 |
4.39 (1991) |
30 |
| ROSSER |
KAUFMAN |
6.89 |
3.99 (1991) |
59 |
| TERRELL |
KAUFMAN |
7.14 |
4.47 (1985) |
55 |
| WOLFE CITY |
HUNT |
4.80 |
4.30 (1999) |
53 |
| Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
| TYLER POUNDS FLD |
SMITH |
51.9 |
51.9 (1951) |
25 |
| BURLESON |
JOHNSON |
50.6 |
50.0 (1988) |
15 |
| GAINESVILLE 5 ENE |
COOKE |
47.4 |
47.3 (1999) |
15 |
| LAKE FORK RSVR |
WOOD |
50.3 |
49.6 (1991) |
13 |
| SPEARMAN |
HANSFORD |
44.7 |
44.6 (1933) |
73 |
| Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
| DEWEYVILLE |
NEWTON |
66.3 |
65.7 (1996) |
15 |
| HOUSTON‑PORT |
HARRIS |
69.2 |
67.5 (1999) |
10 |
| LAKE FORK RSVR |
WOOD |
61.5 |
60.9 (1999) |
13 |
| ORANGE 9 N |
ORANGE |
66.3 |
65.7 (1996) |
15 |
| SANTA ROSA 3 WNW |
HIDALGO |
75.6 |
75.0 (1996) |
15 |
| SPEARMAN |
HANSFORD |
60.7 |
60.7 (1933) |
73 |
| Highest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
| FT HANCOCK 8 SSE |
HUDSPETH |
81 |
81 (1987) |
26 |
| LAKE FORK RSVR |
WOOD |
80 |
79 (1999) |
13 |
| PORT ARANSAS |
NUECES |
79 |
79 (1999) |
13 |
| Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
| BURLESON |
JOHNSON |
41.0 |
39.8 (1998) |
15 |
| Highest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F) |
| Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
| FT WORTH NAS |
TARRANT |
67 |
63 (1970) |
25 |
| CHILDRESS MUNI AP |
CHILDRESS |
60 |
60 (1951) |
82 |
| AMISTAD DAM |
VAL VERDE |
65 |
65 (1984) |
35 |
| ARLINGTON SIX FLAGS |
TARRANT |
66 |
63 (1992) |
10 |
| BEAUMONT CITY |
JEFFERSON |
80 |
71 (1931) |
57 |
| BRADY |
MCCULLOCH |
64 |
64 (1998) |
62 |
| CROCKETT |
HOUSTON |
69 |
68 (1998) |
66 |
| GAINESVILLE 5 ENE |
COOKE |
63 |
63 (1992) |
15 |
| GATESVILLE 4 SSE |
CORYELL |
68 |
67 (1961) |
61 |
| GOLDTHWAITE 1 WSW |
MILLS |
65 |
65 (1966) |
37 |
| GUTHRIE |
KING |
58 |
54 (1998) |
32 |
| HAMILTON 2E |
HAMILTON |
64 |
62 (1980) |
23 |
| HUDSPETH RIVER RANCH |
VAL VERDE |
64 |
63 (1998) |
13 |
| LAKE KEMP |
BAYLOR |
61 |
59 (1980) |
28 |
| MC GREGOR |
MCLENNAN |
66 |
66 (1998) |
42 |
| OLNEY |
YOUNG |
64 |
63 (1975) |
32 |
| PANDALE 1 N |
VAL VERDE |
62 |
62 (1998) |
30 |
| PLAINS |
YOAKUM |
51 |
50 (1964) |
42 |
| SEYMOUR |
BAYLOR |
64 |
63 (1984) |
67 |
| SILVERTON |
BRISCOE |
53 |
52 (1980) |
39 |
| SNYDER |
SCURRY |
60 |
57 (1980) |
77 |
| SPUR |
DICKENS |
58 |
56 (1998) |
66 |
| STERLING CITY |
STERLING |
63 |
63 (1992) |
34 |
| TURKEY |
HALL |
57 |
56 (1984) |
31 |
| WACO DAM |
MCLENNAN |
67 |
66 (1966) |
21 |
| WATER VALLEY |
TOM GREEN |
63 |
62 (1992) |
33 |
| WELLINGTON |
COLLINGSWORTH |
54 |
54 (1980) |
37 |
| WHITNEY DAM |
BOSQUE |
65 |
65 (1992) |
51 |
Climatic Averages for January
| |
TMAX (°F) |
TMIN (°F) |
PRCP (inches) |
No. Days in Month |
Deg. Days |
| Station |
Avg. |
Record |
Avg. |
Record |
Avg. |
Gr'st Mo. |
Gr'st 24 hr. |
≥ 90°F |
≤ 32°F |
PRCP ≥ 0.01" |
HDD |
CDD |
| Abilene |
54.8 |
90 (1911) |
30.8 |
‑9 (1947) |
1.03 |
4.35 (1968) |
2.18 (1961) |
0.0 |
17.7 |
4.5 |
688 |
0 |
| Amarillo |
49.0 |
83 (1927) |
21.2 |
‑11 (1984) |
0.50 |
2.67 (1999) |
1.74 (1968) |
0.0 |
27.5 |
3.9 |
927 |
0 |
| Austin |
58.9 |
90 (1971) |
38.6 |
‑2 (1949) |
1.71 |
9.21 (1991) |
4.41 (1991) |
0.0 |
8.7 |
7.3 |
514 |
12 |
| Brownsville |
68.9 |
93 (1971) |
49.9 |
18 (1881) |
1.56 |
5.11 (1945) |
3.00 (1988) |
0.1 |
1.2 |
8.0 |
232 |
59 |
| College Station |
58.4 |
90 (1999) |
38.7 |
‑3 (1949) |
2.65 |
15.60 (1991) |
5.63 (1991) |
0.0 |
9.1 |
8.5 |
522 |
11 |
| Corpus Christi |
65.0 |
91 (1971) |
45.3 |
14 (1962) |
1.71 |
10.78 (1958) |
6.38 (1958) |
0.1 |
3.5 |
8.3 |
338 |
31 |
| Dallas‑Fort Worth |
54.1 |
93 (1911) |
32.7 |
‑2 (1949) |
1.83 |
9.07 (1932) |
3.15 (1998) |
0.0 |
15.7 |
6.7 |
670 |
0 |
| Del Rio |
61.9 |
92 (1911) |
38.5 |
12 (1918) |
0.56 |
4.12 (1931) |
1.91 (1994) |
0.0 |
7.2 |
4.8 |
465 |
6 |
| El Paso |
56.1 |
80 (1970) |
29.4 |
‑8 (1962) |
0.40 |
1.84 (1949) |
1.28 (1896) |
0.0 |
19.6 |
4.3 |
688 |
0 |
| Galveston |
58.3 |
78 (1989) |
47.1 |
11 (1886) |
3.26 |
10.75 (1991) |
5.38 (1923) |
0.0 |
2.5 |
9.6 |
396 |
15 |
| Houston |
61.0 |
87 (1902) |
39.7 |
5 (1930) |
3.29 |
13.11 (1891) |
5.89 (1891) |
0.0 |
6.5 |
10.0 |
468 |
16 |
| Lubbock |
52.9 |
87 (1914) |
24.6 |
‑16 (1963) |
0.39 |
4.05 (1949) |
1.96 (1939) |
0.0 |
25.4 |
3.5 |
812 |
0 |
| Midland |
56.5 |
84 (1974) |
28.5 |
‑8 (1962) |
0.40 |
4.99 (1939) |
2.56 (1939) |
0.0 |
20.4 |
3.4 |
698 |
0 |
| Port Arthur |
60.3 |
84 (1909) |
41.5 |
11 (1930) |
4.77 |
14.87 (1991) |
6.94 (1998) |
0.0 |
6.5 |
9.9 |
450 |
13 |
| San Angelo |
56.8 |
91 (1911) |
30.6 |
1 (1947) |
0.80 |
3.65 (1961) |
2.49 (1961) |
0.0 |
17.7 |
4.5 |
660 |
0 |
| San Antonio |
60.8 |
89 (1971) |
37.9 |
0 (1949) |
1.71 |
8.52 (1968) |
3.18 (1968) |
0.0 |
9.5 |
7.7 |
494 |
8 |
| Victoria |
62.8 |
88 (1971) |
42.5 |
12 (1949) |
2.16 |
7.76 (1991) |
4.70 (1991) |
0.0 |
5.3 |
8.0 |
403 |
21 |
| Waco |
56.1 |
90 (1943) |
34.2 |
‑5 (1949) |
1.65 |
6.56 (1932) |
4.79 (1998) |
0.0 |
13.6 |
6.6 |
620 |
6 |
| Wichita Falls |
52.0 |
87 (1969) |
27.6 |
‑12 (1947) |
1.04 |
4.48 (1968) |
2.25 (1919) |
0.0 |
21.6 |
4.4 |
781 |
0 |
| Shreveport, LA |
55.4 |
85 (1950) |
34.8 |
‑2 (1930) |
3.88 |
12.96 (1999) |
7.52 (1885) |
0.0 |
14.1 |
9.4 |
623 |
6 |
| Climatic averages are based on 1961-1990 monthly normals, which are provided by the National Climatic Data Center. |
