Texas Climate Report: December 2013

Temperatures and precipitation were all over the place in the month of December 2013. Overall colder temperatures were seen across the state with many areas seeing close to record lows. Regions to the west of Interstate 35 fared well for precipitation this month, while regions to the east were parched once again with less than 50% normal precipitation falling. The majority of the precipitation that fell over the month was from a cold front that passed through the state on December 20th bringing with it severe storms in the southern half of the state and snow flurries in the Panhandle. The most extreme weather event to occur this December was the Dallas ice storm on Thursday night December 5th. Widespread half inch ice accumulation occurred all across North Texas when a cold front fed on moist southerly winds overrunning the front. Temperatures behind the front stayed below freezing for over three days, keeping the city shut down until temperatures finally popped above freezing on the 8th.

The drought was steady across the regions with it still in place, and those without it remained drought free throughout the month. West Texas, and especially the Panhandle still have the most severe drought for the region and despite greater than normal precipitation for the month, drought conditions remain.

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	54.4	‑2.5	83	30.2	‑3.5	14	42.3	‑3.0	4	1.11	90%	0.91	698	1
Amarillo	49.4	‑0.3	72	21.9	‑2.1	3	35.6	‑1.3	2	0.32	45%	0.30	903	0
Austin	60.7	‑2.0	85	39.6	‑2.7	27	50.1	‑2.4	4	0.72	30%	0.46	468	15
Brownsville	69.3	‑2.5	85	51.3	‑1.4	37	60.3	‑1.9	11	3.52	306%	2.39	217	77
College Station	58.5	‑3.8	81	38.5	‑3.7	28	48.5	‑3.7	4	0.76	24%	0.56	516	14
Corpus Christi	66.0	‑2.4	83	46.6	‑2.0	34	56.3	‑2.2	7	0.29	16%	0.15	299	36
Dallas‑Fort Worth	53.9	‑3.2	79	32.3	‑4.8	19	43.1	‑4.0	5	2.76	108%	1.49	671	0
Del Rio	61.5	‑2.5	82	38.9	‑1.9	27	50.2	‑2.2	5	0.48	74%	0.25	455	5
El Paso	57.0	‑0.1	72	32.2	‑0.3	22	44.6	‑0.2	4	0.26	33%	0.20	623	0
Galveston	59.7	‑4.2	76	46.9	‑3.8	38	53.3	‑4.0	9	0.65	18%	0.42	368	13
Houston	61.1	‑3.2	81	41.7	‑2.9	30	51.4	‑3.0	6	1.66	44%	1.49	443	29
Lubbock	53.4	‑0.7	77	24.1	‑3.0	10	38.7	‑1.9	4	0.60	79%	0.51	804	0
Midland	55.5	‑2.6	79	31.1	+0.3	16	43.3	‑1.1	4	1.44	240%	1.13	665	0
Port Arthur	61.8	‑1.9	80	42.7	‑2.1	31	52.3	‑2.0	5	1.29	24%	0.70	413	24
San Angelo				31.6	‑2.0	19			4	1.15	135%	0.56
San Antonio	62.7	‑1.3	86	41.5	‑0.2	29	52.1	‑0.8	5	0.55	29%	0.27	412	18
Victoria	64.0	‑2.1	86	42.8	‑1.5	30	53.4	‑1.8	4	0.45	19%	0.17	383	32
Waco	55.9	‑3.1	81	31.6	‑5.9	21	43.8	‑4.5	4	1.34	49%	1.00	652	0
Wichita Falls	50.5	‑4.2	75	26.4	‑4.4	12	38.4	‑4.4	5	1.29	80%	0.90	815	0
Shreveport, LA	57.0	‑1.5	79	37.2	‑0.5	25	47.1	‑1.0	7	4.98	104%	2.79	559	11
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.

Monthly Extremes

Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station	County	Value
ALLISON	WHEELER	0.00
CANADIAN 22SE	HEMPHILL	0.00
HUDSPETH RIVER RANCH	VAL VERDE	0.00
LEAKEY	REAL	0.00
MCCAMEY	UPTON	0.00
POTEET	ATASCOSA	0.00
YOUNGSPORT	BELL	0.00
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station	County	Value
MAUD	BOWIE	6.80
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours (inches)
Station	County	Value
LINDALE 3 NE	SMITH	2.61
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
PERRYTON	OCHILTREE	31.1
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
PORT ISABEL CAMERON AP	CAMERON	60.6
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
PERRYTON	OCHILTREE	44.5
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
BROWNSVILLE INTL AP	CAMERON	69.3
Highest Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
LAREDO 2	WEBB	91
LAREDO INTL AP	WEBB	91
Lowest Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
STRATFORD	SHERMAN	13
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
BOYS RANCH	OLDHAM	17.4
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
PORT ISABEL CAMERON AP	CAMERON	52.4
Highest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
BROWNSVILLE INTL AP	CAMERON	73
Lowest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
PADUCAH 15 S	KING	-4

New Monthly Records

Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
ANGLETON BRAZORIA AP	BRAZORIA	0.35	0.61 (2008)	13
BEAUMONT RSCH CTR	JEFFERSON	0.98	1.43 (1954)	49
CANADIAN 22SE	HEMPHILL	0.00	0.00 (2009)	11
CONROE MONTGOMERY CO AP	MONTGOMERY	0.73	1.49 (2010)	16
DEWEYVILLE	NEWTON	1.67	1.99 (1980)	43
EDNA 7 NW	JACKSON	0.50	0.50 (2005)	15
FREEPORT 2 NW	BRAZORIA	0.42	0.58 (1951)	76
HOUSTON CLOVER FLD	BRAZORIA	1.26	1.88 (2004)	11
HOUSTON HOOKS MEM AP	HARRIS	0.68	1.00 (2010)	16
HOUSTON NWSO	GALVESTON	0.83	1.35 (2008)	23
HOUSTON SUGARLAND MEM	FORT BEND	0.62	1.39 (2004)	11
HUDSPETH RIVER RANCH	VAL VERDE	0.00	0.00 (2012)	26
KATY WOLF HILL	HARRIS	0.69	0.79 (2008)	34
LEAKEY	REAL	0.00	0.00 (2005)	23
LUMBERTON	HARDIN	2.01	2.55 (2010)	18
MCCAMEY	UPTON	0.00	0.00 (2010)	76
ORANGE 9 N	ORANGE	1.67	1.99 (1980)	43
PALACIOS MUNI AP	MATAGORDA	0.22	0.28 (1948)	70
PORT ARTHUR SE TX AP	JEFFERSON	1.29	1.32 (1954)	67
POTEET	ATASCOSA	0.00	0.00 (2004)	67
ROCKPORT ARANSAS CO AP	ARANSAS	0.04	0.18 (2008)	14
SILSBEE 4 N	HARDIN	1.78	2.88 (2000)	16
WILDWOOD	TYLER	1.17	2.03 (2010)	19
YOUNGSPORT	BELL	0.00	0.00 (2005)	22
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
FT STOCKTON PECOS AP	PECOS	1.04	0.81 (2011)	14
MONAHANS 6 ENE	WARD	1.76	1.38 (2011)	11
PECOS 8 W	REEVES	1.28	0.46 (2011)	10
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours Ever in the Month (inches)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
FT STOCKTON PECOS AP	PECOS	0.89	0.51 (2011)	14
GLEN COVE 2 NE	COLEMAN	1.55	1.12 (2010)	12
LAKE ALAN HENRY	GARZA	1.50	1.24 (2007)	20
LAKE BRIDGEPORT DAM	WISE	1.70	1.60 (2002)	21
LONDON 3 N	MENARD	1.26	0.86 (2002)	12
MONAHANS 6 ENE	WARD	1.38	0.62 (2011)	11
ODESSA SCHLEMEYER FLD	ECTOR	1.19	0.90 (2002)	13
PECOS 8 W	REEVES	0.79	0.19 (2011)	10
POST	GARZA	2.26	2.00 (1926)	93
WHITE RIVER RESERVOIR	CROSBY	1.67	0.93 (2006)	12
WINKLER CO AP	WINKLER	1.00	0.96 (1991)	69
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
ANGLETON BRAZORIA AP	BRAZORIA	52.0	54.6 (2004)	10
DECATUR	WISE	39.1	39.1 (2009)	11
FT WORTH ALLIANCE AP	TARRANT	40.0	42.3 (2009)	16
ROBERT GRAY AAF	BELL	46.2	47.0 (1958)	16
THROCKMORTON 7 NE	THROCKMORTON	38.8	39.3 (2009)	12
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
ANGLETON BRAZORIA AP	BRAZORIA	62.7	64.6 (2002)	10
FT WORTH ALLIANCE AP	TARRANT	52.0	52.9 (2009)	16
Highest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
AUSTIN 8SSE	TRAVIS	84	83 (2012)	10
BRACKETTVILLE 22 N	KINNEY	82	82 (2008)	10
DRYDEN TERRELL CO AP	TERRELL	88	86 (2012)	10
ELGIN	BASTROP	86	86 (1973)	51
HUNT 10 W	KERR	83	81 (2012)	11
PERRYTON	OCHILTREE	80	78 (1987)	43
SAN ANTONIO 8 NNE	BEXAR	83	83 (2012)	17
SAN ANTONIO STINSON AP	BEXAR	90	86 (2007)	16
Lowest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
ARLINGTON MUNI AP	TARRANT	26	28 (2000)	15
ARLINGTON SIX FLAGS	TARRANT	25	25 (1998)	20
AUSTIN 8SSE	TRAVIS	30	34 (2005)	10
BURNET MUNI AP	BURNET	27	29 (1998)	16
CHEAPSIDE	GONZALES	31	34 (2005)	10
CHILDRESS 2	CHILDRESS	17	18 (1998)	17
CORPUS CHRISTI NWS	NUECES	34	38 (2005)	10
CORSICANA CAMPBELL FLD	NAVARRO	29	30 (2000)	12
CUERO	DEWITT	30	31 (1983)	92
DALLAS REDBIRD AP	DALLAS	27	27 (2000)	14
DENTON MUNI AP	DENTON	25	25 (2000)	15
DRYDEN TERRELL CO AP	TERRELL	35	37 (2009)	10
FT HOOD	BELL	27	28 (1964)	14
FT WORTH ALLIANCE AP	TARRANT	24	27 (1998)	16
FT WORTH WSFO	TARRANT	24	26 (2000)	19
HOUSTON SUGARLAND MEM	FORT BEND	38	38 (2005)	11
K‑BAR RCH	ECTOR	21	29 (2004)	10
LAREDO INTL AP	WEBB	39	40 (1963)	30
LONGVIEW E TX RGNL AP	GREGG	33	33 (2012)	14
MCKINNEY MUNI AP	COLLIN	25	28 (2000)	14
MONAHANS 6 ENE	WARD	25	30 (2009)	11
MULESHOE 19 S	BAILEY	19	21 (2005)	10
NEW BRAUNFELS MUNI AP	GUADALUPE	33	33 (2000)	15
ODESSA SCHLEMEYER FLD	ECTOR	21	21 (1998)	13
PADUCAH 15 S	KING	18	20 (1998)	15
PECOS 8 W	REEVES	29	29 (2004)	10
PLAINVIEW WATER PRODUCTION	HALE	18	20 (2008)	13
RAINBOW	SOMERVELL	24	27 (2005)	14
ROBERT GRAY AAF	BELL	25	32 (1950)	16
ROCKPORT ARANSAS CO AP	ARANSAS	36	37 (1998)	14
TAYLOR 1 NW	WILLIAMSON	28	32 (2000)	14
THROCKMORTON 7 NE	THROCKMORTON	20	22 (2005)	14
WHITE RIVER RESERVOIR	CROSBY	20	20 (1998)	17
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
ANGLETON BRAZORIA AP	BRAZORIA	41.4	44.1 (2004)	10
ARLINGTON MUNI AP	TARRANT	30.3	31.5 (2000)	15
ARLINGTON SIX FLAGS	TARRANT	30.3	32.1 (2000)	20
BURNET MUNI AP	BURNET	34.7	34.7 (2009)	16
CALLIHAM	MCMULLEN	40.2	40.2 (2000)	12
CEDAR CREEK 5 S	BASTROP	34.7	35.5 (2010)	12
CORPUS CHRISTI NWS	NUECES	44.8	45.0 (2009)	10
DECATUR	WISE	26.1	28.2 (2009)	12
DENTON MUNI AP	DENTON	27.8	29.1 (2000)	15
FT WORTH ALLIANCE AP	TARRANT	28.0	31.6 (2009)	16
RAINBOW	SOMERVELL	27.6	27.6 (2005)	14
ROBERT GRAY AAF	BELL	35.1	36.4 (1958)	16
THROCKMORTON 7 NE	THROCKMORTON	25.9	26.1 (2009)	12
Highest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
DRYDEN TERRELL CO AP	TERRELL	60	59 (2001)	11
KENT 8 SE	JEFF DAVIS	57	57 (1992)	20
LONGVIEW E TX RGNL AP	GREGG	67	65 (2012)	14
LUFKIN 11 NW	ANGELINA	69	68 (2008)	16
PANTHER JUNCTION	BREWSTER	65	65 (1978)	50
WARREN 2 S	TYLER	69	69 (2008)	35
Lowest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
CHILDRESS 2	CHILDRESS	4	5 (2005)	16
PADUCAH 15 S	KING	-4	7 (1996)	13
WHITE RIVER RESERVOIR	CROSBY	5	6 (2005)	17

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	56.8	90 (1911)	33.0	‑9 (1947)	1.02	4.35 (1968)	2.84 (2010)	0.0	14.9	4.7	624	1
Amarillo	50.6	83 (1927)	23.4	‑11 (1984)	0.72	2.67 (1999)	1.74 (1968)	0.0	26.8	3.9	868	0
Austin	61.5	90 (1971)	41.5	‑2 (1949)	2.22	9.21 (1991)	4.41 (1991)	0.0	4.4	7.4	428	9
Brownsville	70.6	93 (1971)	51.6	18 (1881)	1.27	5.11 (1945)	3.00 (1988)	0.0	0.3	7.3	180	59
College Station	61.0	90 (1999)	41.2	‑3 (1949)	3.24	15.60 (1991)	5.63 (1991)	0.0	4.9	8.4	442	11
Corpus Christi	66.9	91 (2013)	47.2	14 (1962)	1.54	10.78 (1958)	6.38 (1958)	0.0	1.5	7.1	276	30
Dallas‑Fort Worth	56.4	93 (1911)	35.5	‑2 (1949)	2.13	9.07 (1932)	4.27 (2012)	0.0	11.0	6.6	593	2
Del Rio	63.8	92 (1911)	40.6	12 (1918)	0.72	4.12 (1931)	1.91 (1994)	0.0	4.1	4.4	399	3
El Paso	57.7	80 (1970)	32.5	‑8 (1962)	0.40	1.84 (1949)	1.28 (1896)	0.0	14.5	3.8	617	0
Galveston	61.8	78 (2006)	48.6	11 (1886)	4.20	10.75 (1991)	5.38 (1923)	0.0	0.7	9.1	309	5
Houston	62.9	87 (1902)	43.2	5 (1930)	3.38	13.11 (1891)	5.89 (1891)	0.0	3.7	9.6	385	15
Lubbock	54.1	87 (1914)	26.4	‑16 (1963)	0.65	4.05 (1949)	1.96 (1939)	0.0	24.4	3.7	767	0
Midland	57.4	84 (1974)	30.3	‑8 (1962)	0.56	4.99 (1939)	2.56 (1939)	0.0	18.3	3.6	656	0
Port Arthur	62.1	84 (1909)	43.2	11 (1930)	5.26	14.87 (1991)	6.94 (1998)	0.0	3.6	9.5	393	11
San Angelo	59.5	91 (1911)	33.3	1 (1947)	0.93	3.65 (1961)	2.49 (1961)	0.0	14.5	4.6	577	1
San Antonio	62.9	89 (1971)	40.7	0 (1949)	1.76	8.52 (1968)	3.18 (1968)	0.0	5.3	7.0	416	7
Victoria	64.7	88 (1971)	43.1	12 (1949)	2.52	7.76 (1991)	4.70 (1991)	0.0	3.6	8.4	358	14
Waco	58.2	90 (1943)	36.1	‑5 (1949)	2.12	6.56 (1932)	4.79 (1998)	0.0	11.3	7.1	556	3
Wichita Falls	54.2	87 (1969)	29.8	‑12 (1947)	1.14	4.48 (1968)	2.25 (1919)	0.0	18.9	4.8	713	1
Shreveport, LA	57.3	85 (1950)	36.2	‑2 (1930)	4.20	12.96 (1999)	7.52 (1885)	0.0	11.2	9.0	570	4
Climatic averages are based on 1981-2010 monthly normals, which are provided by the National Climatic Data Center.