Texas Climate Report: September 2006

With cooler temperatures and much needed rainfall, September 2006 provided some much needed drought relief to many areas across the state. The statewide mean temperature for the month was 0.8°F below normal and 9 stations reported above average precipitation totals. However, not all was well, as Central Texas, including Waco, Austin, and College Station, reported below average precipitation totals.

Temperatures across the state were mild compared to most Septembers. Amarillo reported the coldest mean temperature with 64.3°F, which was 4.8°F below normal. Other stations including El Paso, Midland, Abilene, and Lubbock, all reported mean temperatures at least 2°F below normal. Temperatures on the east side of the state were warmer than the west, but were just about on average, with a few stations above average. Waco reported the largest departure from normal with a mean temperature of 79.2°F, which was 0.6°F above normal. Waco also reported the highest average maximum temperature for the month with 92.4°F. Waco reported the highest absolute maximum temperature for the entire state with 103°F on the 1st. In fact, the 1st proved to be the warmest day of the month with many stations reporting their absolute maximum temperature values on that day. A front then moved through the state and resulted in much cooler temperatures. Austin set record lows on the 7th and 8th, and Amarillo, Abilene, and Midland set records for the lowest maximum temperature on the 4th and 5th.

Precipitation provided relief for many areas while leaving others dry. The Dallas/Fort Worth area received above average precipitation for the first time since April. During this period from April to August, the Dallas/Fort Worth area averaged only 43% of the normal rainfall. However, during this month the area received 107% of their normal rainfall. The same can be said about Wichita Falls. During the period from April to August, this area average 39% of their normal rainfall totals, but reported 112% this month. El Paso is continuing to see very high rainfall totals, with 4.99" reported this month, over three times the normal amount. However, some areas did not see the above average rainfall totals. Most of Central and East Central Texas reported below average rainfall totals. Waco reported only 43% of its normal rainfall, and Austin only reported 60% of its normal. While Galveston was above average Houston, Port Arthur, and Victoria all reported below average rainfall totals. However, San Antonio, an area that has been greatly affected by the current drought reported an above average rainfall total. This is the first month of 2006 where San Antonio has reported above average precipitation. For the 8-month period of January through August, the average percent of normal was only 46%. With an El Nino forecast, precipitation is expected to increase across the state which will hopefully bring some relief to the many areas across the state still affected by the drought.

Monthly Summary for Selected Cities

Monthly Extremes

New Monthly Records

Climatic Averages for October