Burn Bans/Drought/Fires/Water Supply
Burn Bans
Drought
Monthly Change in Drought Monitor Classification
November 2 – The drought situation improved dramatically over the course of September and October in Central Texas after the drought had peaked around September 10th, according to the United States Drought Monitor. Waco is now nearly 6" above normal when looking at year-to-date precipitation.
November 4 – The United States Agricultural Department listed 69 Texas counties, including Bexar County, as primary natural disaster areas due to the severe drought affecting Texas this year. Several counties in the Big Country were part of the list, with farmers in the counties listed possibly eligible for low-interest emergency loans and assistance from several relief programs.
November 8 – Out of the more than 4,600 farmers and ranchers who applied for monetary assistance provided by the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, only about 500 have received payment.
November 20 – Soggy weather in Central Texas has caused concern for flash flooding, but some are welcoming the rain with open arms as it raises are reservoir levels, which were considered dire just recently. Though the past couple of months have been quite soggy, areas in and around Austin are still considered to be experiencing drought conditions.
November 23 – Residents of South Texas are grateful for the rain received that has helped to relieve the drought situation. Stock tanks are full and native grasses and wildflowers can be seen on highways because of the nearly 15 inches of rain received in South Central Texas over the past three months.
November 25 – A truck carrying illegal immigrants went off the road near Alice, falling into a hidden gravel pit, injuring all 18 people in the vehicle including two and critical condition and a child believed to be partially paralyzed. Normally the pit contains water, but because of the ongoing drought, the pit was dry and rescuers were able to aid the injured and transport them to local hospitals.
November 26 – While El Nino is causing some of the worst droughts in 30 years in other parts of the world, it is credited for easing Texas out its long-term drought by bringing much needed rain to Texas and the Southwestern United States.
Fires
November 5 – A workshop on prescribed burning will take place in Jim Wells County, one of two counties with the majority of its area still in exceptional drought, the most severe category of drought. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Jim Wells County Soil and Water Conservation District will be among the participants in the workshop.
Water Supply
November 2 – The third annual water symposium series is scheduled to start on November 12th in San Antonio, and is one of three scheduled over the next six months. The first symposium will be titled "Our Limited Groundwater Supply: Whose Desired Future Conditions Are We Planning For?"
November 2 – The Palo Pinto Municipal Water District removed Stage 3 watering restrictions after the county received around of 8 inches of October precipitation. During the drought, water was pumped from the Brazos River, and less water was used from Lake Palo Pinto than in the drought of 2000.
November 3 – Burnet County officials are seeking $10,000 from the Central Texas Groundwater Conservation District to assist with water planning and the implementation of a long-term study on water supply.
November 5 – After suffering through a severe drought for most of 2009, Comal County Commissioners described a need to better manage the groundwater resources in the county. Comal County sits on top of the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers, which are major sources of water in Central Texas.
November 10 – Rainfall in the past couple of months in the San Antonio area has been enough to lift Stage 1 watering restrictions after seven months of limitations by the San Antonio Water System. The water level monitor at Fort Sam Houston rose above 660 and maintained a height at or above this level for 30 consecutive days, which is the criterion necessary to bring the Stage 1 restrictions to an end.
November 11 – The general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority described the current LCRA water supply as "possibly worse than any drought of record." He warned that Central Texas needs to fundamentally change its water-consuming behavior with an emphasis on conservation.
November 11 – Local citizens showed up at a meeting in Kerrville to dispute a projected estimate of future groundwater availability that would factor into the state's long-term water management plan. A major issue was the current practice of using a single monitoring well compared to tracking several spring flows to trigger water restrictions.
November 12 – After the recent rainfall, the water levels at Lewisville Lake have risen to 525 feet above sea level, three feet above normal. Water levels at most North Texas lakes have also increased, due to a large amount of runoff from the recent rains.
November 13 – Representatives of the Lower Colorado River Authority water management team say the past several months have been a "perfect storm" of drought in upstream areas that fill lakes and heavy water use in areas growing rice. The lakes combined water storage has fallen below 600,000 acre-feet, which is a number that LCRA can cut off water supply to rice farmers.
November 14 – The past two months of rainfall have ensured that the period from 2007-2009 will exceed the historical average for a three-year period in South Central Texas, despite the devastating drought that has just recently eased. After more than 56 inches of rainfall the first 9 months of 2007, less than 29 inches fell over the 23 months ending in August 2009.
November 16 – More than 600 Texas leaders are meeting in Fort Worth to garner support for a plan that would prevent Texas from running dry in the next 50 years. Estimates by the Texas Water Development Board indicate that the price of water shortages would rise from an estimated $9.1 billion annually to nearly $100 billion annually in the event of drought.
November 17 – When the severe drought finally ended in the city of Schertz, hand washing of vehicles was once again allowed, but an ordinance was passed saying that all water was required to be recycled. This forced the shutdown of one location of Texas Shine, where a local man had recently purchased a $300 wash card and owned a van too large to run through the automatic wash.
November 18 – The Lower Colorado River Authority approved four measures, including the authorization of irrigated water for farmers in 2010 and the lifting of mandatory water restrictions to customers. The other two measures passed were designed to better meet water demands in future abnormally dry periods.
November 18 – Rice farmers in Texas breathed a big sigh of relief as the Lower Colorado River Authority decided to release water for rice farmers over the next year after speculation that water might be shut off due to the severe summertime drought.
November 19 – Researchers at Texas A&M University have been studying the latest generation of automatic sprinklers, which use on-site sensors to make decisions about when to operate and the amount of water to use when operating.
November 21 – Water conservationists are upset that residents of a posh San Marcos development were allowed to fill private water skiing lakes using a depleted San Marcos River and groundwater supply. Though it was legal, some blame the state government for regulations that give water saved through mandatory conservation by public consumers to private developers.
Agricultural Impacts
November 7 – Cooler night time temperatures have greatly slowed the growth of warm season pastures in East Texas, increasing the value of hay as a commodity. An expert indicates that the price of hay needed per animal during the winter can increase anywhere from $60-$100 if winter pasture planting is not successful.
November 8 – The Texas Department of Agriculture announced that grants are now being offered to young farmers interested in creating or expanding an agricultural operation. This announcement is on the heels of an agricultural community reeling from the effects of drought and heavy rainfall in 2009.
November 9 – The Beeville Livestock Commission will host an event on November 17th for livestock owners focusing on drought recovery strategies.
November 12 – Despite a dry summer of 2009, cotton growers in West Texas are projected to be up more than 800,000 bales compared to last year. 750,000 acres were deemed unusable for cotton growth because of drought, disease, and hail.
November 13 – The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association expressed disappointment in the passage of a climate change bill they feel will have a negative impact on the cattle industry. Ranchers can expect an increase in the cost of fuel, feed, and other operating costs.
November 14 – A dry October in West Texas provided perfect weather for cotton harvesters after a rocky start in the season that saw planting hampered by a lack of soil moisture. Estimates released by the United States Department of Agriculture indicate that the state will increase cotton yield by 10 percent in comparison to 2008, with Texas accounting for 39 percent of the nation's total harvest.
November 14 – The peanut industry is recovering from a damaging past year that included a salmonella outbreak, an oversupply of peanuts in 2008, a sluggish economy, and drought in 2009.
November 20 – Farmers in several Lower Valley counties are eligible for loans to cover losses caused by drought, high temperatures, and fires over the past year if the losses cut production by 30 percent or more. More than half of the region's cotton, corn, and sorghum crops were destroyed in 2009.
November 20 – Central Texas farmers who waited to plant their wheat and oats may have missed their opportunity because of recent rainy and cold weather, according to the Bell County Extension Agent.
November 22 – Livestock producers in the northern Edwards Plateau region are now eligible for compensation as part of the Livestock Forage Disaster Program. Those in Coke, Sterling, and Tom Green counties owning livestock are eligible if grazing native and improved grasses.
November 23 – The recent drought has had a negative impact on pecan crops with below normal harvests, but officials of the Texas Pecan Growers Association say that consumers will have a good supply of quality pecans for the holiday season. Officials also say that late freezes in April and insect damage to the crops are also to blame.
November 24 – Although Autumn rains have come to Texas, ending the worst drought on record for nine counties in Texas, the damage has already been done. In 2009, drought-related losses will exceed $4 billion, with at least $3.6 billion lost in agriculture and about $1 billion lost in livestock and remaining crops.
November 24 – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension reports that pecan harvests continue to be good because of the moisture the area has received. Coastal Bend soil moisture levels have begun to stabilize allowing beef producers to supply livestock with hay and protein. In West Central Texas, winter wheat is doing very well but more moisture is needed to continue good growth.
November 30 – An expected snowstorm later this week may delay the cotton harvest in West Texas, but officials are not too worried about any significant impacts to the overall crop. The Concho Valley has already harvested 75 percent of its crop already, though several gins are still behind schedule in the Big Country north of Abilene.
Inclement Weather
Cold/Winter Weather
November 10 – The National Weather Service and the Division of Emergency Management have designated November 10th as "Winter Weather Awareness Day" in Texas.
November 15 – Texas Department of Transportation crews are prepared for winter weather that will inevitably strike Texas, including a storm expected to hit the northern Panhandle. When winter weather is expected, TxDot crews will pre-treat roadways, paying special attention to bridges, overpasses, and ramps.
November 16 – The coldest weather of the season came to North Texas, and many are in need of repairs to their heating units that have remained dormant for several months. Others welcome the cold weather as a sign to get in the holiday spirit and put up decorations.
November 28 – Far West Texas, including the El Paso metropolitan area, is preparing for an approaching winter storm expected to produce significant snowfall in some areas.
November 29 – With a Winter Storm Warning is in effect, local fire officials warned the threat carbon monoxide poisoning can pose when using stoves and ovens to provide heat in homes. The Rescue Mission of El Paso is making preparations to accommodate the homeless with near-freezing temperatures expected, stating no one will be turned away, regardless of the crowd.
November 29 – Residents of many Texas Panhandle towns woke up to a snowy surprise as a storm system pushed through the area overnight. Texas Department of Transportation crews were focusing most of their efforts on keep bridges and overpasses from freezing, since most of the snow melted as it hit the roads.
Flooding
November 1 – Across a large part of East Texas, October rainfall swept debris, tree branches, and logs into rivers. The logs can easily flip over the boats of fisherman, with the logs hidden underneath the water are particularly dangerous.
November 2 – Flood waters are threatening the town of Deweyville in East Texas, prompting the Sabine River Authority to open the flood gates of Toledo Bend Reservoir. With all the gates open, nearly 75,000 cubic feet of water will flow into the Sabine River, which is already above flood stage.
November 6 – A $330,000 study has been commissioned by Guadalupe County to protect its watersheds from future floods. The research project will attempt to identify potential areas of mitigation to prevent future damage and would be completed by the end of the summer in 2010.
November 6 – Residents living near Caddo Lake in the Taylor Island and Cypress Village neighborhoods are expected to return to their homes to assess damage from recent flooding. The floodwaters are receding and the level of the lake is expected to fall below flood stage in the next couple of days.
November 9 – The city of Freeport was forced to shut their flood gates during high tide because an increase in the surge resulting from Hurricane Ida, which is well to the east of Texas. Officials were concerned that low-lying areas were more vulnerable than usual due to Hurricane Ike.
November 21 – Flash floods cause an average of 100 deaths a year in the United States, a number that is rising while the fatality rate from other natural disasters is declining. The new International Flash Flood Institute is located at Texas State University in San Marcos, in the heart of flash flood alley and hopes to gain an understanding of why flash floods are so deadly.
November 27 – A flood warning remains in Morris County as the Sulphur River in Naples is 6 feet above the flood stage at 27.7 feet, though experts predict the river will begin to fall about 6 inches a day barring any additional rainfall. Only minor flooding has occurred so far, with the main cause being the heavy rainfall in late October.
November 30 – The city of El Paso court house closed at noon because of snowy weather, halting court proceedings and trials. El Paso Community College and Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine closed campuses early and canceled all evening classes.
Heat
November 7 – Amarillo set a record high of 84 degrees on the 6th, breaking the previous record of 83 degrees set exactly 100 years before in 1909. The high temperature in Canadian, also in the Panhandle, topped out at 90 degrees.
Hurricanes/Tropics
November 6 – A disruption of normal oil production in expected for the upcoming weekend in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico due to Tropical Storm Ida.
November 13 – Nacogdoches County received $6.2 million from the Department of Rural Affairs to construct a shelter that can host evacuees in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster. The funding to build a 27,000 foot structure is the largest grant the county has ever received.
November 13 – November 15 marks the 22nd anniversary of a tornado outbreak that was one of the most destructive in the history of East Texas. Four long-track tornadoes of at least F3 strength moved across the region, including an 11-mile long tornado that claimed one life and a tornado that was on the ground for 33 miles claimed 4 lives.
November 17 – Music legend Neil Diamond is reaching out to residents in Hurricane Ike-ravaged Chambers County by installing 14 brand new modular homes for those who lost their homes. Diamond helped raise $2 million over the past year and construction is set to begin as soon as conditions warrant.
November 19 – Galveston residents and city officials are worried that they will miss out on $4 million/year of federal housing and transportation funds because of the population of decrease in Galveston caused by Hurricane Ike. After the hurricane, the population of Galveston dropped from about 57,000 to 42,000 people.
November 23 – The IRS office finally has a new permanent home in Harlingen after the old location of the office was damaged by Hurricane Dolly nearly sixteen months ago. IRS officials say that after Hurricane Dolly the office moved to McAllen, but decided to stay in Harlingen to make it more convenient for Valley residents.
November 24 – Although residents of East Texas desperately need more Hurricane Ike funding, the board for Housing and Urban Development has stopped the second round of funding. Officials say they have put a stop to the funding because there was a lack of detail on how $208 million would be distributed.
November 25 – More than a year after Hurricane Ike, some Houston residents have not received enough funding to repair their homes. One such resident says she needs about $10,000 in repairs for her home, but her insurance company offered only $2,000, a situation experienced by many other residents in the Houston area.
November 26 – Houston officials are asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to close Rollover Pass in Houston. State officials believe that the 54-year-old manmade pass located near the Bolivar Peninsula near Galveston is hastening beach erosion along the peninsula that was damaged by Hurricane Ike.
November 29 – A poll conducted by Scripps Howard News Service and Ohio University found that 56 percent of adults polled thought "hurricanes are becoming more dangerous to human life than they used to be." An expert in disaster psychology attributes much of the pessimism to the more than 1,500 people killed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Severe Weather
November 10 – A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board showed that a plane crash on October 26 near Benavides was the result of a pilot flying into a line of intense thunderstorms. All four people on board were killed after the pilot attempted to maneuver his aircraft through an apparent hole in the line of storms near Corpus Christi.
November 11 – Severe weather near Kestral Airpark in Spring Branch caused a small plane to crash, killing two children and the pilot. Officials believe that thunderstorms moving through the area of Kestral caused the pilot to contact with the air traffic controller and it is unclear how much the thunderstorm contributed to the crash.
November 28 – Free Community Response Team classes for organizations and other groups are being provided by the Waco-McLennan County Emergency Management Team. Those who complete the 21-hour course are eligible to sign up with an emergency response and assist in the case of a catastrophic natural disaster.
Other Climate Impacts
Academics/Athletics
November 1 – The heavy rainfall across the eastern half of the state played havoc with many of the football fields consisting of natural grass, and showed the benefits to having FieldTurf as a playing surface. The FieldTurf can be paid off and prove profitable compared to natural grass in as little as six years, since mowing, fertilizing, watering and striping the field is no longer necessary.
November 4 – The McFerrin Athletic Center which serves as an indoor practice facility to the Texas A&M football team was not built to code according to a report released by a structural engineering firm. Analysis indicated that the McFerrin complex was designed similarly to the Dallas Cowboys practice facility that collapsed in a severe thunderstorm over the summer.
November 19 – Austin native John Lewis wrote and directed a new film called "Wild Texas Weather" that includes rare historic footage and video from weather events the past several years across Texas. The film is an interactive and educational experience for at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, which has an average of 130,000 student visitors every year.
November 22 – The LPGA Tour Championship at the Houstonian was shortened from 72 holes to 54 holes because of a rain-filled weekend at the Fort Bend County course.
Air/Water Quality
November 11 – Kendall County commissioners voted to close a brush site following a complaint from a nearby resident of dust emission. Following an inspection by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the county decided to close the site rather than face possible fines of up to $50,000 a day.
November 24 – A new report by the group Environment America gives Texas the unwanted distinction of emitting more carbon dioxide than any other state in the country. Texas won in a landslide after an analysis of the oldest and dirtiest power plants in the United States, with 73 percent of the emissions coming from coal-burning power plants built before 1980.
Animals/Aquatic Life
November 3 – This is the time of the year when whooping cranes are set to return to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, though only 247 survived in South Texas last winter. Wildlife officials are leery about what the numbers of the flock will be this year because of the drought conditions extending into the fall, unlike most of the state.
November 9 – South Texas is experiencing a stretch of weather that has been the perfect breeding ground for snout butterflies, whose numbers have overwhelmed the city of Victoria. Periods of severe drought that are followed by heavy rainfall produce a massive amount of green food that allows the butterflies to thrive.
November 14 – Fawn survival in South Texas over the past year has been about 30-40 percent, which is typical in drought situations, and is based on estimates taken from helicopter surveys.
November 19 – The drought has been affecting the ecosystem in Matagorda Bay through increasing salinity levels according to the ecosystem leader for Texas Parks and Wildlife. As less freshwater has flown downstream, crucial nutrients for certain species have been severely decreased, though salt-water critters have been more prevalent.
Economics
November 15 – Times have been tough for many businesses on Galveston Island now that the contractors helping to rebuild the island have left. With the Pre-Hurricane Ike population down by at least 20%, businesses are still waiting for customers to come back to the island.
November 18 – Officials in both the city of Port O'Conner and the Orangefield Water Supply Corporation believe Hurricane Rita was a blessing after the hurricane caused severe damage to the area, prompting the need for a new sewer system plant. The new sewer system plant is a vacuum sewer system plant with Phases 1 and 3 are expected to be done in 18 months.
November 22 – Though it has been two months since a devastating storm caused millions of dollars in hail damage across the El Paso area, local and out-of-town companies are still booked with vehicles in need of hail repairs. There is some argument about the overwhelming presence of non-local repairers, with many believing money is being taken out of the local economy.
November 22 – Small business not directly involved in agriculture, but rather reliant upon production by farmers, are now eligible for low-interest disaster loans in 192 Texas counties. The Small Business Administration is providing the loans to small, non-farm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and non-profit organizations of any size due to the economic losses created by the past year's drought, excessive heat, and wildfires.
Homes/Gardening/Trees
November 5 – The blooming of the Mexican Mint Marigold is a sign that cold weather is on the way and it is time to prepare your garden by winterizing your plants.
November 15 – The devastating effects of pine bark beetles are being felt in Southeast Texas, with the number of dead pine trees this year well above average. The beetles typically attack drought-stressed trees by feeding and laying eggs in the inner portion of the trees.
November 21 – It is important to help conserve the conditions of golf courses during the winter by not playing on greens that are thawing out after a morning freeze. Keeping carts on designated paths will ensure that wear and tear on roughs and fairways is kept to a minimum during the winter months.
November 25 – If you are considering choosing a live Christmas tree this holiday season, it is important to pick a tree that will acclimate to the local climate and soil conditions. The Eastern Red Cedar junipers are a good choice whether you planting outdoors or keeping the tree indoors, in which case a smaller tree is a better choice.
November 28 – Builders in unincorporated areas are exempt from certain construction regulation, which has become a problem in a heavily rebuilding Galveston County. There is only one county inspector, though the government is attempting to pass tougher legislation after the devastation left behind by Hurricane Ike.
Hunting/Fishing
November 1 – The deluge of rain across East Texas and part of the upper Texas coast recently has resulted in the closure of a prime public duck hunting area. The vegetation that attracts the ducks has not had a chance to respond, and much of the food for ducks might not become available until the water levels recede.
November 3 – General season for deer hunting opens Saturday in East Texas, and those hunting along one of the major rivers, such as the Neches, Angelina, or Attoyac might come to find their deer stands underwater.
November 11 – Most of the quail hunting this season, which started on Halloween, has been described as anywhere from mediocre to dismal. Many hunters will wait until the weather turns cooler, so that bird dogs will not overheat and there is less chance of encountering rattlesnakes.
November 15 – Months of drought left most of the state parched, hampering the growth of forage sources for deer. However, recent moisture has aided natural food sources, which is good news for the deer but bad news for hunters using feeders meant to attract deer.
November 16 – Goose hunting season started off very well across the High Plains, particularly in Dumas and Etter counties, though snow geese were described as being "a little skittish" because of the mild temperatures.
Recreation/Leisure
November 1 – The Six Flags over Texas will close its Texas Giant roller coaster for renovations until 2011 because of track misalignment caused by the hot, dry summer weather. It will cost $10 million to renovate the 19-year old ride.
November 8 – The final day of Wurstfest in New Braunfels was filled with bratwurst, sausages, and rainfall. The weather was better at the St. Mary's Parish German sausage festival held in Amarillo.
November 12 – Cooler fall weather is in the air, and the trees are becoming filled with leaves of changing color in East Texas. The Texas Historical Commission's Texas Heritage Trails Program is encouraging tourists to visit the area to see the fall foliage.
November 20 – A longtime haven for surfers in Galveston, Meacom's Pier, was torn down in the past month after Hurricane Ike ravaged the wooden pier last year. Known as a premier spot for surfing on the Texas Upper Coast, the pier was built in the 1960s to reach an offshore drilling site.
November 23 – A combination of beautiful summertime weather, a ramped-up advertising campaign, and a tendency of folks to stay close to home because of the recession led to the most people visiting the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi since its inaugural year in 1990.
November 25 - 27 – Weather throughout Texas was perfect for the Wednesday travel day before Thanksgiving and is expected to remain dry for Thanksgiving Day and warm up and become windier ahead of a cold front on Black Friday.
November 26 – An artist whose studio sits in Rockport Harbor draws his inspiration from the endangered whooping crane and a flock of the majestic birds that make a winter home near his studio. One of his paintings depicts the whooping crane with the American Indian god of rain and fertility, since the drought has ravaged the estuaries containing the main source of their diet.
Roads/Traffic
November 4 – A prominent Texas lawyer was killed last week when the SUV he was riding in skidded across a median and wrapped around a tree. Police believe inclement weather and speed were two main factors causing the accident.
November 4 – Recent rain that has fallen in the Texas Hill Country has been a welcome relief from the hot, dry summer, but has caused headaches on the roadways. There have been two fatal collisions where large trucks have lost control and jackknifed into the path of oncoming traffic.
November 6 – Several miles of roads in rural counties across Texas have taken a beating from the recent deluge of rain that has hit the state. In Milam County, testing has been done on the efficiency of a product called Envirotac II and its feasibility as an economical way to help maintain smaller county roads.
November 7 – The city of Boerne is in the midst of a storm sewer project aiming to improve the drainage of water during heavy rain events in the downtown area. The project is being jointly run by the Texas Department of Transportation and Knife River COOP-South and will cost around $1.2 million.
November 9 – The widening of a stretch of Interstate 35 between Hewitt and Robinson in Central Texas is six to eight months behind schedule, partially because of the rainy weather the past couple of months. The project is due to cost $88 million and is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2012.
November 10 – The City Council of Lake Jackson is recommending that $7 million be spent for street and drainage projects, with $1 million of that money being spent on patching up roads affected by the recent drought.
November 12 – The Texas Department of Public Safety is seeking to find the driver of a gravel truck that struck a car on a wet Texas 80 highway, killing a five year-old girl.
November 21 – An SUV traveling in a northbound lane of Highway 205 just outside of Wylie hydroplaned before crossing the center line and striking a minivan that was traveling in the southbound lane. The driver and two passengers in the minivan were killed in the collision, which occurred in rainy conditions.
November 26 – The Lake Dallas city council approved final designs for a landscaping project on Swisher Road that would be able to survive the tricky Texas climate with little maintenance.
November 28 – A number of automobile accidents were reported in the Longview area likely due to wet conditions on the roadways. The Longview Police Department reported 8 vehicle incidents, though all were reported to be minor.
November 29 – Slick conditions on Loop 375 in Northeast El Paso caused a semi carrying electrical stoves to roll over Sunday afternoon. No injuries were reported, but driving conditions are expected to deteriorate with an approaching winter storm that prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning.
November 30 – A day before hurricane season officially ended, El Paso was hit by a snowstorm that stalled traffic and forced city officials to close parts of Trans Mountain Highway. Nine accidents were reported between 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.
November 30 – According to El Paso city officials, wintry weather is to blame for several rollover wrecks that happened through the city. These wrecks include one on I-10 East and Executive Center, a car crash on I-10 West near Sunland Park Mall, and a semi-truck flipping over near Loop 375.
