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Texas Climate Report: September 2002

September 2002 was a fairly warm month temperature wise, as fifteen of the nineteen first order stations in Texas recorded normal or slightly above average mean monthly temperatures. The greatest departure above normal was reported in Dallas/ Fort Worth, at 2.1°F. Only two stations broke the 100°F mark this month (Brownsville, and Wichita Falls). The regions of Southern Edwards Plateau, Southern North Central, Southern East, South Central, Upper Coast, and South Texas, however, experienced temperatures slightly below normal, with San Antonio reporting the largest departure from normal of 1.8°F below average.

Below normal precipitation was reported for every first order station excluding Brownsville (114% of normal), Corpus Christi (127% of normal), Galveston (198% of normal), Houston (185% of normal), San Antonio (234% of normal), and Waco (105% of normal). These areas received above normal rainfall due to pop-up sea-breeze thunderstorm activity, convective rain bands from Tropical Storm Fay (September 7th-9th), and weak frontal passages. Some impressive monthly totals were noted in Brownsville (6.04"), Corpus Christi (6.37", with a rainfall record on the 15th), Galveston (11.38"), Houston (8.02"), Port Arthur (5.74"), and San Antonio (7.02").

The state of Texas experienced a pattern of dry, mild weather for most of the month. The first noticeable cold front of the autumnal season trudged southward through Texas on the 19th of the month, bringing with it cooler temperatures and light precipitation (with isolated larger amounts reported in Abilene, Amarillo, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio). The pattern of cooler, drier weather persisted for a few days before moderating to a typical southerly gulf flow pattern. The last week of September was characterized by temperatures slightly above normal and little precipitation statewide.

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 87.8 +1.1 97 63.7 ‑0.7 51 75.7 +0.2 5 2.05 70% 1.06 0 328
Amarillo 82.1 +0.3 91 56.2 ‑0.1 47 69.2 +0.1 4 1.64 87% 1.16 21 156
Austin 89.7 ‑0.4 98 69.8 +1.0 59 79.8 +0.3 7 3.23 111% 2.28 0 451
Brownsville 92.1 +2.7 101 73.1 +0.5 66 82.6 +1.6 12 6.04 114% 3.32 0 537
College Station 90.4 ‑0.5 96 69.1 +0.6 56 79.8 +0.1 8 0.77 20% 0.28 0 454
Corpus Christi 89.5 ‑0.4 96 71.3 ‑0.3 63 80.4 ‑0.4 11 6.37 127% 2.53 0 471
Dallas‑Fort Worth 90.5 +2.8 97 68.6 +1.4 54 79.5 +2.0 3 1.38 57% 1.07 0 444
Del Rio 92.7 +2.1 99 69.5 +0.1 57 81.1 +1.1 4 1.28 62% 0.81 0 490
El Paso 89.0 +1.9 95 65.0 +1.3 56 77.0 +1.6 5 0.48 30% 0.27 0 365
Galveston 86.1 ‑0.4 93 75.5 ‑0.1 70 80.8 ‑0.3 14 11.38 198% 4.01 0 482
Houston 88.1 ‑1.2 95 71.2 +2.8 63 79.7 +0.8 10 8.02 185% 3.35 0 449
Lubbock 85.8 +2.4 95 59.2 +0.8 47 72.5 +1.6 5 1.38 54% 1.22 5 238
Midland 88.4 +2.3 98 63.1 +1.5 50 75.8 +1.9 4 0.30 13% 0.15 0 329
Port Arthur 87.3 ‑0.7 95 72.5 +3.1 64 79.9 +1.2 10 5.74 94% 2.31 0 452
San Angelo 89.0 +2.4 97 62.8 ‑0.2 48 75.9 +1.1 4 1.64 56% 0.78 0 332
San Antonio 88.2 ‑1.8 97 69.1 +0.3 58 78.7 ‑0.7 7 7.02 234% 2.81 0 416
Victoria 89.4 ‑0.5 96 69.7 ‑0.6 61 79.5 ‑0.6 10 3.93 79% 2.17 0 443
Waco 91.4 +1.3 99 67.6 +0.6 55 79.5 +0.9 4 3.01 105% 1.55 0 442
Wichita Falls 90.0 +2.5 101 63.8 +0.1 52 76.9 +1.3 4 2.37 74% 1.98 0 364
Shreveport, LA 90.1 +2.5 99 69.2 +2.8 61 79.6 +2.6 9 1.37 43% 0.57 0 446
*Dep.: Departure of the monthly average temperature from the 1971-2000 monthly normal, which is provided by the National Climatic Data Center.
*Perc. Norm.: Monthly precipitation total divided by 1971-2000 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 2002 average temperatures
sep 2002 average precipitation

Monthly Extremes

Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value
EXXON GAS PLANT KLEBERG 0.00
LA TUNA 1 S EL PASO 0.00
LAMPASAS LAMPASAS 0.00
PAINT ROCK CONCHO 0.00
STUDY BUTTE BREWSTER 0.00
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value
FOWLERTON LA SALLE 20.75
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours (inches)
Station County Value
FOWLERTON LA SALLE 12.80
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
DALHART 6 SW HARTLEY 66.1
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
HEATH CANYON BREWSTER 83.5
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
CHISOS BASIN BREWSTER 78.3
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
HEATH CANYON BREWSTER 97.6
Highest Maximum Temperature  (°F)
Station County Value
HEATH CANYON BREWSTER 104
Lowest Maximum Temperature  (°F)
Station County Value
DALHART 6 SW HARTLEY 62
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
FT DAVIS JEFF DAVIS 50.8
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND CAMERON 77.4
Highest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
PORT ARANSAS NUECES 83
ROCKPORT ARANSAS 83
Lowest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
FT DAVIS JEFF DAVIS 39

New Monthly Records

Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
LA TUNA 1 S EL PASO 0.00 0.00 (2000) 53
LAMPASAS LAMPASAS 0.00 0.03 (1934) 102
LUFKIN 11 NW ANGELINA 1.12 1.41 (1994) 19
PAINT ROCK CONCHO 0.00 0.00 (1934) 75
STUDY BUTTE BREWSTER 0.00 0.00 (2000) 10
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
HONDO MUNI AP MEDINA 8.68 7.78 (1991) 25
BAYTOWN HARRIS 13.20 11.51 (1998) 20
CHOKE CANYON DAM LIVE OAK 7.83 5.49 (1985) 19
DERBY 1 S FRIO 16.27 5.27 (1991) 24
DILLEY FRIO 14.37 13.09 (1967) 89
FT MCKAVETT MENARD 3.47 3.41 (2001) 10
FOWLERTON LA SALLE 20.75 13.99 (1967) 73
FREER 18 WNW WEBB 7.70 5.12 (1995) 23
PLEASANTON ATASCOSA 10.10 3.68 (2001) 13
SEGUIN 1 SSW GUADALUPE 5.84 5.12 (1998) 11
THREE RIVERS 8 NE LIVE OAK 10.53 3.97 (1990) 15
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours Ever in the Month (inches)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
HONDO MUNI AP MEDINA 4.19 2.42 (1984) 25
BRANDON HILL 1.92 1.71 (1994) 11
CHOKE CANYON DAM LIVE OAK 2.57 2.02 (1988) 19
DERBY 1 S FRIO 10.37 2.51 (1986) 24
DILLEY FRIO 10.13 6.86 (1973) 89
ELGIN BASTROP 4.35 3.77 (1962) 40
FT MCKAVETT MENARD 2.46 2.41 (1882) 10
FOWLERTON LA SALLE 12.80 4.50 (1967) 73
PLEASANTON ATASCOSA 3.81 2.98 (1999) 13
SEGUIN 1 SSW GUADALUPE 2.43 1.60 (1998) 11
THREE RIVERS 8 NE LIVE OAK 3.85 2.70 (2001) 15
UTOPIA UVALDE 3.77 3.60 (1995) 11
WILDWOOD TYLER 4.30 3.87 (1998) 11
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
LAKE FORK RSVR WOOD 78.7 78.7 (2000) 14
MT PLEASANT TITUS 81.3 80.4 (1998) 53
PINE SPRINGS CULBERSON 70.4 70.4 (1998) 13
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
CHOKE CANYON DAM LIVE OAK 88.4 88.5 (2001) 19
UVALDE 3 SW UVALDE 88.4 88.7 (1991) 15
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
LAKE FORK RSVR WOOD 92.3 91.7 (2000) 14
Highest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
PORT MANSFIELD WILLACY 99 99 (1964) 37
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
DUBLIN 2SE ERATH 53.3 57.1 (1918) 94
FT DAVIS JEFF DAVIS 50.8 52.3 (1991) 27
HUDSPETH RIVER RANCH VAL VERDE 64.2 64.2 (1989) 14
SAN ANTONIO/SEAWORLD BEXAR 65.8 65.8 (1989) 14
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
ARLINGTON SIX FLAGS TARRANT 69.4 68.5 (2000) 12
MT PLEASANT TITUS 70.7 68.7 (1998) 53
PINE SPRINGS CULBERSON 59.6 58.6 (1994) 14
WRIGHT PATMAN DAM CASS 68.0 67.3 (1998) 27
Highest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
CENTERVILLE LEON 79 79 (2000) 62
CLEVELAND LIBERTY 76 76 (1988) 38
DEWEYVILLE NEWTON 77 77 (2000) 17
EL CAMPO WHARTON 80 78 (1959) 21
LAKE TAWAKONI RAINS 78 77 (2000) 27
LEXINGTON LEE 78 78 (1977) 38
ORANGE 9 N ORANGE 77 77 (2000) 17
SAM RAYBURN DAM JASPER 76 76 (2000) 34
TOWN BLUFF DAM TYLER 77 76 (1961) 50
SUGAR LAND FORT BEND 80 79 (1989) 85

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 77.6 103 (1979) 54.4 23 (1993) 2.90 10.88 (1941) 6.08 (1981) 2.2 0.3 6.2 93 118
Amarillo 71.8 99 (2000) 44.6 12 (1993) 1.50 7.64 (1941) 3.03 (1998) 0.8 2.3 5.0 239 26
Austin 81.4 100 (1938) 59.8 30 (1993) 3.97 12.63 (1925) 7.51 (1998) 4.4 0.0 7.4 32 207
Brownsville 84.0 99 (1900) 65.9 35 (1993) 3.78 17.12 (1958) 9.09 (1996) 6.2 0.0 7.3 6 332
College Station 82.0 102 (1938) 59.0 29 (1993) 4.22 18.77 (1994) 13.39 (1994) 3.2 0.1 7.6 25 196
Corpus Christi 83.6 98 (1950) 64.0 28 (1993) 3.94 12.03 (1997) 7.96 (1995) 5.5 0.0 6.7 12 300
Dallas‑Fort Worth 77.9 106 (1951) 56.4 24 (1917) 4.11 14.18 (1981) 4.85 (1959) 3.0 0.1 6.9 52 118
Del Rio 81.7 106 (1979) 60.5 28 (1993) 2.00 11.69 (1930) 7.60 (1969) 5.1 0.1 5.7 24 217
El Paso 77.9 96 (1994) 51.8 25 (1970) 0.81 5.15 (1884) 1.84 (1883) 2.4 0.5 4.9 89 71
Galveston 79.7 94 (1952) 68.4 39 (1993) 3.49 17.78 (1871) 14.01 (1901) 0.1 0.0 6.8 6 286
Houston 82.0 99 (1900) 58.8 29 (1993) 4.50 17.64 (1949) 9.31 (1984) 3.1 0.1 7.5 37 196
Lubbock 74.4 100 (2000) 47.0 18 (1993) 1.70 10.80 (1983) 5.82 (1983) 1.2 1.0 5.1 163 46
Midland 77.4 101 (2000) 51.3 24 (1993) 1.77 7.45 (1986) 3.59 (1985) 2.4 0.3 4.7 103 83
Port Arthur 80.5 99 (1905) 59.6 30 (1993) 4.67 15.09 (1970) 9.26 (1902) 1.5 0.1 6.5 34 195
San Angelo 77.8 100 (1951) 53.0 26 (1997) 2.57 8.68 (1981) 5.11 (1959) 2.7 0.3 5.6 84 112
San Antonio 82.0 99 (1991) 59.4 27 (1993) 3.86 18.07 (1998) 13.35 (1998) 4.9 0.0 6.9 33 215
Victoria 83.0 109 (1926) 61.6 31 (1993) 4.26 17.25 (1960) 8.15 (1994) 4.9 0.0 7.3 22 248
Waco 80.4 101 (1989) 56.7 25 (1993) 3.67 10.51 (1984) 5.72 (1974) 4.5 0.1 6.9 58 170
Wichita Falls 77.1 102 (2000) 52.4 21 (1993) 3.11 11.77 (1941) 5.61 (1959) 3.3 0.4 7.0 106 99
Shreveport, LA 78.3 99 (1938) 55.0 28 (1993) 4.45 14.02 (1949) 6.83 (1949) 1.8 0.2 7.4 78 119
Climatic averages are based on 1971-2000 monthly normals, which are provided by the National Climatic Data Center.
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