Texas Climate Report: September 2001

September 2001 was a fairly mild month as fifteen of the nineteen first order stations in Texas recorded at or below average mean monthly temperatures. This was a direct contrast to September 2000, when several stations recorded all-time high maximum temperatures. This September, however, only three stations broke the 100°F mark (Del Rio, Midland, and Wichita Falls). Austin's mean monthly temperature was 4.8°F below average, the largest departure from normal in the state. Rainfall was abundant in some areas and sparse in others. Ten of the nineteen stations recorded above-average precipitation; however, these stations are all located in the eastern portion of the state, with the lone exception of Amarillo (see maps below). Both College Station and Houston recorded 180% of their average precipitation (8.77" and 8.82", respectively), while Wichita Falls recorded only 13% of its normal precipitation (0.49"). According to the Palmer Drought Severity Index, the result is that the East and South Central divisions of Texas are classified as having an unusually wet spell, while the Trans Pecos division is classified as having a severe drought.

September began the same way August ended, with wet weather in the east and southeast portions of the state. This weather eventually spread to the majority of Texas throughout the next couple days. On the 7th, a cold front moved in from the northwest, bringing cooler temperatures and drier conditions to most of the state. However, temperatures slowly rebounded, and by the 13th, most parts of Texas were experiencing maximum temperatures in the low 90s. This weather pattern persisted through the 22nd.

On the 23rd, the first major cold front of the season entered Texas. A strong continental cold front from Canada pushed its way south into the U.S. by the 22nd, and by the 23rd, it had reached the Texas Panhandle. As it moved across the state, it triggered numerous showers and thunderstorms, which further saturated the east and southeast. Behind the front, much cooler temperatures and very dry air were pulled from the north. Once into Texas, this air mass dominated the weather patterns for the remainder of the month. The last week of September would be characterized by typical fall weather: chilly nights and mild days.

Monthly Summary for Selected Cities

Monthly Extremes

New Monthly Records

Climatic Averages for October