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
|
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 |
85.8 |
‑0.9 |
95 |
62.9 |
‑2.4 |
46 |
74.3 |
‑1.7 |
5 |
2.32 |
72% |
0.88 |
9 |
298 |
Amarillo |
84.8 |
+3.0 |
96 |
56.0 |
‑0.4 |
46 |
70.4 |
+1.3 |
4 |
3.03 |
152% |
2.95 |
12 |
180 |
Austin |
86.9 |
‑3.6 |
95 |
67.5 |
‑2.3 |
50 |
77.2 |
‑3.0 |
6 |
1.71 |
52% |
1.03 |
1 |
374 |
Brownsville |
90.3 |
‑0.1 |
96 |
73.2 |
|
62 |
81.7 |
‑0.1 |
9 |
3.25 |
54% |
1.40 |
0 |
511 |
College Station |
88.4 |
|
95 |
68.2 |
‑0.5 |
51 |
78.3 |
‑0.3 |
9 |
8.80 |
181% |
3.84 |
0 |
405 |
Corpus Christi |
88.1 |
‑1.6 |
93 |
71.8 |
‑0.5 |
60 |
80.0 |
‑1.0 |
8 |
6.78 |
123% |
3.69 |
0 |
458 |
Dallas‑Fort Worth |
83.7 |
‑4.1 |
93 |
65.5 |
‑1.4 |
52 |
74.6 |
‑2.8 |
10 |
3.72 |
110% |
1.27 |
3 |
300 |
Del Rio |
90.6 |
+0.2 |
103 |
68.8 |
‑0.3 |
52 |
79.7 |
‑0.1 |
4 |
2.24 |
79% |
1.56 |
0 |
451 |
El Paso |
89.3 |
+2.2 |
97 |
64.4 |
+2.8 |
52 |
76.8 |
+2.4 |
4 |
0.30 |
18% |
0.16 |
0 |
365 |
Galveston |
84.8 |
+0.3 |
90 |
73.9 |
‑1.5 |
63 |
79.4 |
‑0.6 |
9 |
6.58 |
111% |
3.31 |
0 |
439 |
Houston |
86.6 |
‑1.8 |
95 |
67.4 |
‑0.5 |
52 |
77.0 |
‑1.2 |
12 |
8.82 |
180% |
2.95 |
0 |
370 |
Lubbock |
85.3 |
+2.4 |
96 |
58.5 |
‑0.9 |
46 |
71.9 |
+0.8 |
4 |
0.85 |
33% |
0.46 |
8 |
222 |
Midland |
86.6 |
+1.2 |
101 |
63.5 |
+2.4 |
48 |
75.0 |
+1.7 |
5 |
0.95 |
36% |
0.35 |
5 |
313 |
Port Arthur |
85.8 |
‑1.5 |
95 |
68.7 |
‑1.0 |
53 |
77.3 |
‑1.3 |
14 |
9.16 |
145% |
4.46 |
0 |
377 |
San Angelo |
86.3 |
‑0.5 |
99 |
62.5 |
‑1.5 |
43 |
74.4 |
‑1.0 |
6 |
0.89 |
26% |
0.51 |
11 |
302 |
San Antonio |
86.7 |
‑2.6 |
93 |
67.0 |
‑2.2 |
50 |
76.8 |
‑2.5 |
5 |
4.05 |
119% |
2.00 |
0 |
362 |
Victoria |
87.2 |
‑1.7 |
94 |
68.7 |
‑1.6 |
52 |
78.0 |
‑1.6 |
11 |
7.06 |
126% |
4.09 |
0 |
394 |
Waco |
86.7 |
‑2.9 |
94 |
65.9 |
‑1.7 |
48 |
76.3 |
‑2.3 |
5 |
2.22 |
63% |
0.78 |
3 |
348 |
Wichita Falls |
87.2 |
+0.4 |
100 |
63.0 |
‑0.9 |
47 |
75.1 |
‑0.3 |
8 |
0.49 |
13% |
0.25 |
6 |
317 |
Shreveport, LA |
83.4 |
‑3.9 |
92 |
65.8 |
‑0.2 |
50 |
74.6 |
‑2.1 |
12 |
6.84 |
219% |
2.06 |
5 |
301 |
*Dep.: Departure of the monthly average temperature from the 1961-1990 monthly normal, which is provided by the National Climatic Data Center. *Perc. Norm.: Monthly precipitation total divided by 1961-1990 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 |
DRYDEN TERRELL CO AP |
TERRELL |
0.00 |
BENJAMIN 15 W |
KING |
0.00 |
JAYTON |
KENT |
0.00 |
LAGUNA 3N |
UVALDE |
0.00 |
SHEFFIELD |
PECOS |
0.00 |
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches) |
Station |
County |
Value |
GORDONVILLE |
GRAYSON |
14.30 |
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours (inches) |
Station |
County |
Value |
DANEVANG 1 W |
WHARTON |
8.20 |
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
PANHANDLE |
CARSON |
68.6 |
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
HEATH CANYON |
BREWSTER |
84.7 |
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
BRACKETTVILLE |
KINNEY |
77.5 |
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
HEATH CANYON |
BREWSTER |
99.2 |
Highest Maximum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
HEATH CANYON |
BREWSTER |
112 |
Lowest Maximum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
BRACKETTVILLE |
KINNEY |
66 |
MATADOR |
MOTLEY |
66 |
SHERMAN |
GRAYSON |
66 |
STRATFORD |
SHERMAN |
66 |
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
BRAVO |
HARTLEY |
52.0 |
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
PORT ARANSAS |
NUECES |
76.3 |
Highest Minimum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
HEATH CANYON |
BREWSTER |
83 |
Lowest Minimum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
MARFA 2 |
PRESIDIO |
36 |
New Monthly Records
Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
BENJAMIN 15 W |
KING |
0.00 |
0.00 (1998) |
17 |
JAYTON |
KENT |
0.00 |
0.00 (2000) |
49 |
SHEFFIELD |
PECOS |
0.00 |
0.00 (2000) |
38 |
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
BRANDON |
HILL |
4.82 |
4.79 (1998) |
10 |
NORTHINGTON RCH |
KENDALL |
7.99 |
6.55 (1991) |
16 |
PIDCOKE |
CORYELL |
5.02 |
4.89 (1998) |
15 |
PLEASANTON |
ATASCOSA |
3.68 |
3.45 (1948) |
12 |
SISTERDALE |
KENDALL |
8.30 |
4.78 (1994) |
11 |
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours Ever in the Month (inches) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
CALDWELL |
BURLESON |
3.60 |
3.30 (1974) |
39 |
DALHART 6 SW |
HARTLEY |
1.62 |
1.37 (1990) |
12 |
PADUCAH |
COTTLE |
3.05 |
2.80 (1972) |
54 |
PIDCOKE |
CORYELL |
2.05 |
1.80 (1976) |
15 |
SISTERDALE |
KENDALL |
3.15 |
2.12 (1990) |
11 |
THREE RIVERS 8 NE |
LIVE OAK |
2.70 |
2.60 (1998) |
14 |
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD |
TARRANT |
74.3 |
74.3 (1942) |
23 |
ARLINGTON SIX FLAGS |
TARRANT |
73.6 |
73.8 (1991) |
10 |
CHOKE CANYON DAM |
LIVE OAK |
79.1 |
79.2 (1991) |
18 |
DEKALB |
BOWIE |
71.6 |
72.1 (1989) |
20 |
EVANT 1 SSW |
CORYELL |
73.5 |
73.8 (1995) |
34 |
HOUSTON‑PORT |
HARRIS |
78.4 |
78.7 (1991) |
11 |
PLEASANTON |
ATASCOSA |
78.8 |
78.8 (1991) |
10 |
UVALDE 3 SW |
UVALDE |
77.3 |
77.8 (1987) |
12 |
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
ARLINGTON SIX FLAGS |
TARRANT |
80.8 |
86.0 (1991) |
10 |
BAYTOWN |
HARRIS |
85.5 |
85.8 (1991) |
19 |
BRACKETTVILLE |
KINNEY |
77.5 |
82.5 (1974) |
71 |
CHOKE CANYON DAM |
LIVE OAK |
88.5 |
90.2 (1991) |
18 |
DRIPPING SPRINGS 6 E |
HAYS |
86.0 |
86.1 (1991) |
17 |
EVANT 1 SSW |
CORYELL |
84.3 |
84.3 (1991) |
36 |
FLATONIA |
FAYETTE |
84.5 |
85.5 (1946) |
87 |
JEFFERSON |
MARION |
81.5 |
83.2 (1989) |
22 |
LAKE TAWAKONI |
RAINS |
83.9 |
84.3 (1975) |
26 |
TOLEDO BEND DAM |
NEWTON |
83.7 |
84.2 (1989) |
27 |
TYLER |
SMITH |
83.7 |
85.4 (1989) |
18 |
VICTORIA CP&L |
VICTORIA |
87.5 |
87.6 (1908) |
18 |
Highest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
FT DAVIS |
JEFF DAVIS |
101 |
100 (2000) |
26 |
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
GALVESTON |
GALVESTON |
68.4 |
69.0 (2000) |
126 |
HOUSTON‑PORT |
HARRIS |
68.7 |
69.9 (1994) |
11 |
PANTHER JUNCTION |
BREWSTER |
56.1 |
56.2 (1991) |
41 |
PLEASANTON |
ATASCOSA |
65.7 |
66.0 (1999) |
10 |
Highest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
DELL CITY 5 SSW |
HUDSPETH |
70 |
69 (1999) |
22 |
PINE SPRINGS |
CULBERSON |
70 |
69 (1995) |
13 |
WESLACO |
HIDALGO |
81 |
81 (1982) |
78 |
Lowest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
MARFA 2 |
PRESIDIO |
36 |
37 (1975) |
36 |
PLEASANTON |
ATASCOSA |
49 |
49 (1996) |
10 |
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 |
77.9 |
103 (1979) |
54.8 |
23 (1993) |
2.51 |
10.88 (1941) |
6.08 (1981) |
2.4 |
0.2 |
5.5 |
75 |
118 |
Amarillo |
72.5 |
99 (2000) |
44.5 |
12 (1993) |
1.37 |
7.64 (1941) |
3.03 (1998) |
1.1 |
1.8 |
4.7 |
226 |
25 |
Austin |
82.1 |
100 (1938) |
60.0 |
30 (1993) |
3.43 |
12.63 (1925) |
7.51 (1998) |
3.7 |
0.0 |
6.7 |
17 |
206 |
Brownsville |
85.3 |
99 (1900) |
66.1 |
35 (1993) |
2.80 |
17.12 (1958) |
9.09 (1996) |
5.5 |
0.0 |
6.5 |
0 |
332 |
College Station |
80.2 |
102 (1938) |
58.6 |
29 (1993) |
3.81 |
18.77 (1994) |
13.39 (1994) |
2.5 |
0.0 |
6.5 |
31 |
167 |
Corpus Christi |
83.9 |
98 (1950) |
63.9 |
28 (1993) |
3.02 |
12.03 (1997) |
7.96 (1995) |
5.0 |
0.0 |
6.3 |
0 |
281 |
Dallas‑Fort Worth |
78.5 |
106 (1951) |
55.8 |
24 (1917) |
3.52 |
14.18 (1981) |
4.85 (1959) |
3.1 |
0.0 |
6.2 |
51 |
119 |
Del Rio |
81.7 |
106 (1979) |
59.7 |
28 (1993) |
2.24 |
11.69 (1930) |
7.60 (1969) |
3.9 |
0.0 |
5.0 |
19 |
196 |
El Paso |
78.4 |
96 (1994) |
49.6 |
25 (1970) |
0.76 |
5.15 (1884) |
1.84 (1883) |
1.6 |
0.4 |
4.4 |
88 |
57 |
Galveston |
77.5 |
94 (1952) |
68.0 |
39 (1993) |
2.84 |
17.78 (1871) |
14.01 (1901) |
0.0 |
0.0 |
5.8 |
7 |
248 |
Houston |
81.6 |
99 (1900) |
57.6 |
29 (1993) |
4.27 |
17.64 (1949) |
9.31 (1984) |
2.7 |
0.0 |
6.7 |
31 |
174 |
Lubbock |
74.7 |
100 (2000) |
48.1 |
18 (1993) |
1.86 |
10.80 (1983) |
5.82 (1983) |
1.0 |
0.9 |
4.9 |
154 |
42 |
Midland |
77.3 |
101 (2000) |
50.6 |
24 (1993) |
1.74 |
7.45 (1986) |
3.59 (1985) |
2.2 |
0.1 |
4.4 |
106 |
75 |
Port Arthur |
80.2 |
99 (1905) |
59.2 |
30 (1993) |
4.29 |
15.09 (1970) |
9.26 (1902) |
1.7 |
0.0 |
5.9 |
26 |
172 |
San Angelo |
78.8 |
100 (1951) |
53.6 |
26 (1997) |
2.40 |
8.68 (1981) |
5.11 (1959) |
2.6 |
0.1 |
5.0 |
71 |
108 |
San Antonio |
81.7 |
99 (1991) |
58.8 |
27 (1993) |
3.17 |
18.07 (1998) |
13.35 (1998) |
4.1 |
0.0 |
6.8 |
30 |
191 |
Victoria |
82.4 |
109 (1926) |
60.9 |
31 (1993) |
3.46 |
17.25 (1960) |
8.15 (1994) |
4.1 |
0.0 |
6.4 |
15 |
223 |
Waco |
80.3 |
101 (1989) |
56.8 |
25 (1993) |
3.36 |
10.51 (1984) |
5.72 (1974) |
4.2 |
0.0 |
6.0 |
38 |
146 |
Wichita Falls |
76.9 |
102 (2000) |
52.2 |
21 (1993) |
2.74 |
11.77 (1941) |
5.61 (1959) |
3.6 |
0.2 |
6.0 |
104 |
91 |
Shreveport, LA |
78.7 |
99 (1938) |
54.3 |
28 (1993) |
3.73 |
14.02 (1949) |
6.83 (1949) |
2.5 |
0.2 |
6.6 |
63 |
110 |
Climatic averages are based on 1961-1990 monthly normals, which are provided by the National Climatic Data Center. |