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Texas Climate Report: September 2012

The month of September brought with it average to slightly above average temperatures for the majority of the state as well as above average precipitation. The most significant rainfall events occurred on the 14th and the weekend of the 27th and 28th. On the 14th a cold front brought with it heavy rain and storms bringing flash flooding to many parts of the hill country, where approximately 7 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours near Austin. The weekend of the 27th and 28th was the most pronounced rain event of the month by far with almost all of the state receiving some measureable rainfall after a trough of low pressure slowly dragged across the state. A record 24 hour rainfall amount of 8.82 inches of rain fell in Nacogdoches on the 28th due to this system.

Unfortunately, while rainfall was fairly widespread and above average for the month, the areas that needed it the most missed out. The drought dropped in severity for most of Texas, yet in places such as the Rio Grande Valley and the Northern Panhandle the drought worsened, though lower temperature anomalies than the previous months helped limit the extent of the degradation. The outlook for the state of Texas according to the Climate Prediction Center is for the drought to persist for most of the state, while areas south and west of the Edwards Plateau are expected to see sight improvement.

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 88.7 +1.9 105 66.2 +2.0 57 77.4 +1.9 6 8.48 379% 5.63 6 385
Amarillo 85.5 +2.9 100 57.1 +0.7 45 71.3 +1.8 8 3.25 169% 1.00 29 226
Austin 91.1 +0.6 103 68.9 ‑0.5 61 80.0 0.0 5 5.70 191% 2.27 0 458
Brownsville 93.4 +2.9 99 73.3 +0.2 65 83.3 +1.5 8 3.76 64% 1.64 0 559
College Station 92.0 +1.5 101 69.8 +0.4 60 80.9 +0.9 5 3.22 101% 2.63 0 488
Corpus Christi 94.4 +4.3 104 73.3 +1.3 65 83.8 +2.8 8 3.59 72% 1.47 0 572
Dallas‑Fort Worth 91.0 +2.6 104 69.0 +1.5 57 80.0 +2.0 5 1.75 69% 1.43 0 457
Del Rio 93.1 +2.3 104 71.4 +1.6 64 82.2 +1.9 6 3.90 177% 2.44 0 525
El Paso 87.9 +0.3 99 63.7 +0.4 49 75.8 +0.4 7 1.41 93% 0.81 6 335
Galveston 87.3 ‑0.1 93 76.9 +1.0 66 82.1 +0.5 10 5.63 93% 1.94 0 521
Houston 89.7 0.0 98 69.7 ‑0.1 59 79.7 ‑0.1 7 2.02 49% 0.66 0 448
Lubbock 85.0 +0.5 99 60.3 +1.5 51 72.7 +1.0 8 2.04 81% 0.98 18 255
Midland 87.5 +0.6 102 64.1 +2.1 51 75.8 +1.3 8 5.89 317% 4.92 11 342
Port Arthur 87.9 ‑0.3 95 68.9 ‑0.8 59 78.4 ‑0.6 8 6.75 113% 2.53 0 409
San Angelo 90.5 +2.7 105 66.5 +3.0 56 78.5 +2.9 6 6.91 281% 5.09 2 412
San Antonio 90.4 +0.1 99 68.8 ‑0.3 59 79.6 ‑0.1 5 7.31 241% 2.82 0 447
Victoria 92.2 +1.8 101 69.2 0.0 60 80.7 +0.9 6 5.48 132% 1.92 0 477
Waco 90.4 +0.6 103 66.5 +0.1 50 78.4 +0.3 6 4.63 151% 3.23 0 411
Wichita Falls 89.1 +1.0 109 63.9 +0.6 52 76.5 +0.8 11 3.22 115% 1.11 4 355
Shreveport, LA 88.9 +0.7 103 66.2 +0.6 54 77.5 +0.6 9 7.36 233% 3.75 2 389
Bold-italics indicate a value broke or tied the record from a previous year.
*Dep.: Departure of the monthly average temperature from the 1981-2010 monthly normal, which is provided by the National Climatic Data Center.
*Perc. Norm.: Monthly precipitation total divided by 1981-2010 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.

sep 2012 average temperatures
sep 2012 average precipitation

Monthly Extremes

Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value
LAMPASAS LAMPASAS 0.00
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value
NACOGDOCHES NACOGDOCHES 12.37
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours (inches)
Station County Value
NACOGDOCHES NACOGDOCHES 8.82
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
MT LOCKE JEFF DAVIS 66.0
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
MCALLEN MILLER INTL AP HIDALGO 85.6
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
CAPROCK CANYON SP BRISCOE 73.8
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
FALCON DAM STARR 99.1
Highest Maximum Temperature  (°F)
Station County Value
WICHITA FALLS MUNI AP WICHITA 109
Lowest Maximum Temperature  (°F)
Station County Value
MT LOCKE JEFF DAVIS 52
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
BRAVO HARTLEY 50.4
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
PORT ARANSAS NUECES 77.7
Highest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
FREEPORT 2 NW BRAZORIA 84
GALVESTON SCHOLES FLD GALVESTON 84
PALACIOS MUNI AP MATAGORDA 84
Lowest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
BRAVO HARTLEY 36

New Monthly Records

Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
LAMPASAS LAMPASAS 0.00 0.00 (2002) 109
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
FLOMOT 4 NE MOTLEY 8.51 8.39 (2008) 64
GLEN COVE 2 NE COLEMAN 10.21 6.70 (2009) 11
JOHNSON CITY BLANCO 12.15 10.95 (2010) 44
LA PRYOR ZAVALA 10.91 10.66 (1964) 83
LONGVIEW GREGG 6.15 5.95 (2002) 10
LUFKIN 11 NW ANGELINA 9.82 8.01 (1995) 29
LULING 12 NE CALDWELL 6.62 5.13 (2009) 16
MONAHANS 6 ENE WARD 7.45 4.25 (2004) 10
NACOGDOCHES NACOGDOCHES 12.37 10.62 (1996) 40
SAN ANGELO WFO TOM GREEN 6.68 5.70 (2009) 10
SEGUIN 1 SSW GUADALUPE 7.00 5.84 (2002) 20
TERLINGUA BREWSTER 4.31 3.32 (2008) 10
THORNTON 1 SSE LIMESTONE 8.74 8.44 (1966) 66
VIGO PARK SWISHER 4.95 3.83 (2004) 10
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours Ever in the Month (inches)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
ATHENS HENDERSON 4.78 4.12 (1957) 57
BIG SPRING HOWARD 5.00 3.79 (1988) 63
BIG SPRING HOWARD 5.00 3.79 (1988) 60
CARTHAGE PANOLA 4.98 4.50 (1968) 56
CORSICANA NAVARRO 5.84 4.75 (1957) 108
CORSICANA CAMPBELL FLD NAVARRO 4.38 2.30 (2007) 11
FT STOCKTON PECOS AP PECOS 1.98 1.59 (2004) 12
GLEN COVE 2 NE COLEMAN 5.12 3.00 (2008) 11
JOHNSON CITY BLANCO 6.61 4.76 (2010) 44
KENDALIA KENDALL 4.65 4.12 (1996) 16
LA PRYOR ZAVALA 8.39 6.10 (1964) 83
LONGVIEW 11 SE RUSK 3.73 3.46 (2005) 37
LUFKIN 11 NW ANGELINA 7.46 4.27 (1999) 29
LUFKIN 2 ANGELINA 2.80 2.60 (1999) 18
MIDLAND INTL AP MIDLAND 4.92 4.37 (1986) 83
MONAHANS 6 ENE WARD 3.29 1.74 (2008) 10
NACOGDOCHES NACOGDOCHES 8.82 4.50 (2005) 40
RUSK CHEROKEE 5.08 4.75 (1979) 69
SAN ANGELO WFO TOM GREEN 4.67 2.83 (2003) 10
SEGUIN 1 SSW GUADALUPE 3.15 3.01 (2009) 20
SILVER VALLEY COLEMAN 3.92 3.38 (1980) 37
SPICEWOOD BURNET 4.20 3.27 (2010) 44
STERLING CITY STERLING 5.65 5.50 (1936) 82
TERLINGUA BREWSTER 2.20 1.80 (2008) 10
VIGO PARK SWISHER 1.60 1.52 (2004) 10
WATER VALLEY 11 NNE COKE 5.28 4.50 (1961) 51
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
TORNILLO 2 SSE EL PASO 67.4 69.5 (1991) 31
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
ANGLETON 2 W BRAZORIA 83.0 82.6 (2005) 92
LAMPASAS LAMPASAS 84.6 83.1 (2005) 109
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
DAINGERFIELD 9 S MORRIS 94.8 94.5 (2005) 53
LAMPASAS LAMPASAS 98.0 97.9 (1931) 109
Highest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
ALVORD 3 N WISE 104 103 (2011) 10
DENVER CITY YOAKUM 101 101 (2000) 21
FT STOCKTON PECOS AP PECOS 101 101 (2011) 13
LAKE ALAN HENRY GARZA 105 105 (2000) 19
LAREDO INTL AP WEBB 106 106 (2011) 29
MONAHANS 6 ENE WARD 103 103 (2005) 10
ODESSA SCHLEMEYER FLD ECTOR 101 99 (2010) 10
PENWELL ECTOR 105 105 (2000) 34
POST GARZA 104 104 (2000) 46
Lowest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
ALVORD 3 N WISE 65 68 (2009) 10
ARLINGTON MUNI AP TARRANT 68 70 (2003) 12
BONITA 4 NW MONTAGUE 63 68 (2009) 10
DALLAS REDBIRD AP DALLAS 69 70 (2009) 13
DENTON MUNI AP DENTON 67 70 (2009) 13
FT MCKAVETT MENARD 66 68 (2009) 18
FT STOCKTON PECOS AP PECOS 64 66 (1999) 13
MONAHANS 6 ENE WARD 64 69 (2006) 10
ODESSA SCHLEMEYER FLD ECTOR 61 62 (2008) 10
PALESTINE 6 WNW ANDERSON 67 68 (2009) 10
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
TORNILLO 2 SSE EL PASO 52.0 54.7 (2011) 32
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
LAMPASAS LAMPASAS 71.2 70.2 (2005) 109
Highest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
ABERNATHY HALE 72 69 (1980) 14
ABILENE RGNL AP TAYLOR 80 79 (2000) 69
AMARILLO INTL AP POTTER 71 71 (2011) 72
ANGLETON 2 W BRAZORIA 82 82 (2006) 94
BARDWELL DAM ELLIS 78 77 (2010) 43
BEAUMONT CITY JEFFERSON 80 80 (2006) 60
BIG LAKE 2 REAGAN 74 74 (1989) 41
BIG SPRING HOWARD 79 79 (2000) 58
BIG SPRING HOWARD 79 78 (2011) 42
BROWNFIELD 2 TERRY 72 70 (1980) 57
CRANE 2E CRANE 79 78 (1989) 45
DELL CITY 5 SSW HUDSPETH 73 70 (2001) 33
DENISON DAM GRAYSON 80 80 (2011) 62
FLOYDADA FLOYD 73 71 (1997) 59
FREEPORT 2 NW BRAZORIA 84 83 (1993) 51
FT DAVIS JEFF DAVIS 71 71 (2000) 37
FT STOCKTON PECOS 73 73 (2011) 57
GAIL BORDEN 80 77 (1995) 37
GALVESTON SCHOLES FLD GALVESTON 84 84 (2011) 31
GUTHRIE KING 76 75 (1983) 47
JAYTON KENT 76 75 (1997) 36
KENT 8 SE JEFF DAVIS 74 73 (1992) 16
LAKE ALAN HENRY GARZA 78 78 (2000) 19
LONGVIEW GREGG 77 77 (2006) 10
LUBBOCK INTL AP LUBBOCK 75 73 (2010) 66
MATADOR MOTLEY 78 78 (2011) 55
MONAHANS 6 ENE WARD 74 74 (2011) 10
ODESSA SCHLEMEYER FLD ECTOR 77 76 (1999) 10
OLTON LAMB 69 67 (2004) 40
PANTHER JUNCTION BREWSTER 77 75 (2011) 52
PENWELL ECTOR 77 76 (1983) 34
PLAINVIEW WATER PRODUCTION HALE 72 68 (2011) 12
POST GARZA 77 76 (2011) 45
SAN ANGELO MATHIS FLD TOM GREEN 79 79 (1961) 95
SAN ANGELO WFO TOM GREEN 75 74 (2011) 10
TAHOKA LYNN 74 73 (2000) 77
VALENTINE JEFF DAVIS 69 68 (1997) 28
WHITE RIVER RESERVOIR CROSBY 74 72 (2000) 15
Lowest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
LULING CALDWELL 43 43 (1974) 106

Climatic Averages for October

  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 77.3 103 (1979) 54.3 23 (1993) 2.98 10.88 (1941) 6.08 (1981) 1.3 0.2 6.6 93 118
Amarillo 71.9 99 (2000) 44.7 12 (1993) 1.66 7.64 (1941) 3.03 (1998) 0.6 1.6 5.3 236 28
Austin 81.8 100 (1938) 60.6 30 (1993) 3.88 12.63 (1925) 7.51 (1998) 4.0 0.0 7.5 29 221
Brownsville 85.7 99 (1900) 66.9 35 (1993) 3.74 17.12 (1958) 9.09 (1996) 6.0 0.0 7.5 4 354
College Station 81.4 102 (1938) 60.3 29 (1993) 4.91 18.77 (1994) 13.39 (1994) 2.8 0.0 7.6 35 216
Corpus Christi 84.4 98 (1950) 64.8 28 (1993) 3.64 12.03 (1997) 7.96 (1995) 4.9 0.0 6.3 10 308
Dallas‑Fort Worth 78.3 106 (1951) 56.8 24 (1917) 4.22 14.18 (1981) 4.85 (1959) 1.9 0.1 7.4 66 146
Del Rio 82.4 106 (1979) 61.0 28 (1993) 2.23 11.69 (1930) 7.60 (1969) 4.4 0.1 5.8 23 230
El Paso 78.2 96 (1994) 52.0 25 (1970) 0.61 5.15 (1884) 1.84 (1883) 0.6 0.2 4.7 79 82
Galveston 80.6 94 (1952) 68.1 39 (1993) 5.52 17.78 (1871) 14.01 (1901) 0.2 0.0 7.3 9 299
Houston 82.0 99 (1900) 60.9 29 (1993) 5.70 17.64 (1949) 9.31 (1984) 3.0 0.0 7.9 29 229
Lubbock 75.2 100 (2000) 47.9 18 (1993) 1.93 10.80 (1983) 5.82 (1983) 0.9 0.7 5.7 159 52
Midland 77.9 101 (2000) 51.8 24 (1993) 1.73 7.45 (1986) 3.59 (1985) 2.1 0.3 4.9 98 93
Port Arthur 80.6 99 (1905) 60.5 30 (1993) 5.58 15.09 (1970) 9.26 (1902) 0.8 0.0 7.5 33 205
San Angelo 78.8 100 (1951) 53.6 26 (1997) 2.73 8.68 (1981) 5.11 (1959) 2.1 0.3 6.2 82 119
San Antonio 82.2 99 (1991) 60.1 27 (1993) 4.11 18.07 (1998) 13.35 (1998) 3.7 0.0 6.9 31 221
Victoria 83.5 109 (1926) 60.9 31 (1993) 4.64 17.25 (1960) 8.15 (1994) 4.3 0.0 7.6 22 245
Waco 79.9 101 (1989) 56.6 25 (1993) 3.90 10.51 (1984) 5.83 (2011) 3.3 0.1 7.2 61 162
Wichita Falls 77.0 102 (2000) 52.0 21 (1993) 3.11 11.77 (1941) 5.61 (1959) 2.2 0.3 7.4 113 97
Shreveport, LA 78.2 99 (1938) 54.6 28 (1993) 4.96 20.35 (2009) 6.83 (1949) 1.3 0.1 8.0 80 124
Climatic averages are based on 1981-2010 monthly normals, which are provided by the National Climatic Data Center.
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