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Texas Climate Report: April 2004

The month of April was very eventful for the state of Texas. Temperatures in West Texas were about a degree below normal, while temperatures in most of East Texas were a little above normal. Precipitation was above normal for 15 of the 19 first-order stations. Lubbock, Midland, Victoria, and Waco had over 200% of their normal precipitation; Abilene had over 300%; and Corpus Christi and El Paso received over 400%. Impressive totals for the month included San Antonio (5.02"), Abilene (5.03"), Houston (5.56"), Victoria (6.29"), Waco (8.46"), and Corpus Christi (9.21").

Severe weather was very prominent across the state during the month. During the first week, a low pressure system slowly made its way across the state dropping large hail throughout Texas. The largest reports topped 4 inches in Reeves County on April 2nd and in Brewster County on April 5th. On the 6th, the same system caused five tornadoes in the Upper Coast region near Victoria. A cold front moved over the southern portion of the state on the 8th-10th and brought several more reports of hail including 4.25" in Montgomery County on the 10th. Easter weekend saw winter-like temperatures and wet weather across the state.

Following the passage of the cold front, a high pressure system moved over the state. Temperatures warmed up to the upper 70s and 80s during the second week, and only a trace of rain fell in the first-order stations between the 12th and the 16th. The end of the week also saw the first 90 degree temperatures in the state.

More severe weather hit on the week of the 19th as a cold front brought heavy rains to the state. Four tornadoes occurred in the Low Rolling Plains between Abilene and Wichita Falls on the 23rd. On the 24th and 25th, San Antonio and Victoria had over an inch of rain, College Station received 2.49", Waco recorded 4.91" of precipitation, and Corpus Christi shattered a record with 6.18" on the 25th. This was over 2 inches more than the previous record, set back in 1966. The month ended in fitting fashion as a low pressure system caused two tornadoes, one near San Angelo and the other near Wichita Falls, as well as several hail and wind reports. The largest hail fell in Coleman Country and was measured at 4.25" in diameter.

For the entire month, there were 17 tornadoes reported, 46 wind reports, and 290 hail reports. Of those reports, 10 of the wind reports were above 65 knots (75 mph), and 28 of the hail reports were larger than 2.00" in diameter.

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 74.1 ‑3.2 88 52.0 +0.2 35 63.1 ‑1.5 9 5.03 301% 2.42 114 62
Amarillo 67.2 ‑3.4 85 43.2 +1.5 25 55.2 ‑1.0 10 2.65 199% 1.05 295 6
Austin 77.3 ‑1.6 87 59.3 +1.7 42 68.3 10 3.97 158% 1.80 38 145
Brownsville 82.4 +0.1 89 67.0 +1.8 49 74.7 +0.9 6 2.85 145% 1.60 6 300
College Station 78.5 ‑0.3 86 59.1 +2.2 43 68.8 +0.9 9 4.20 131% 1.38 40 162
Corpus Christi 79.2 ‑1.5 85 63.5 +1.2 47 71.3 ‑0.2 8 9.21 449% 6.18 21 219
Dallas‑Fort Worth 75.8 ‑0.1 84 56.5 +2.5 39 66.2 +1.2 10 2.96 92% 2.00 57 100
Del Rio 77.7 ‑5.0 87 59.7 +1.2 42 68.7 ‑1.9 10 3.34 195% 1.52 29 150
El Paso 75.1 ‑3.0 85 52.5 +1.4 39 63.8 ‑0.8 6 1.06 461% 0.46 100 72
Galveston 76.3 +1.1 81 64.8 +0.1 49 70.5 +0.5 6 2.50 98% 1.06 21 196
Houston 78.8 ‑0.3 86 60.2 +2.3 46 69.5 +1.0 7 5.56 154% 3.17 33 176
Lubbock 72.4 ‑2.3 88 48.1 +2.7 29 60.2 +0.2 8 2.98 231% 1.01 172 37
Midland 74.7 ‑4.1 87 50.4 +1.8 37 62.5 ‑1.2 4 1.88 258% 1.56 113 47
Port Arthur 77.7 ‑0.1 83 58.7 +0.1 41 68.2 7 2.83 74% 1.46 40 143
San Angelo 75.8 ‑3.2 90 52.0 +1.0 34 63.9 ‑1.1 10 1.91 119% 1.27 110 85
San Antonio 76.7 ‑3.7 84 57.7 +0.8 40 67.2 ‑1.4 11 5.02 193% 2.09 43 116
Victoria 78.9 ‑0.3 85 60.0 ‑0.1 44 69.5 ‑0.2 9 6.29 212% 3.04 32 171
Waco 76.0 ‑1.6 86 57.4 +3.2 38 66.7 +0.8 11 8.46 283% 5.07 54 112
Wichita Falls 75.9 +0.4 89 51.2 +1.9 35 63.5 +1.1 9 1.83 70% 0.59 103 69
Shreveport, LA 76.3 ‑0.3 87 54.5 +0.7 38 65.4 +0.2 8 5.17 117% 2.05 75 93
Bold-italics indicate a value broke or tied the record from a previous year.
*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.

apr 2004 average temperatures
apr 2004 average precipitation

Monthly Extremes

Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value
BOQUILLAS RS BREWSTER 0.24
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value
EL INDIO MAVERICK 11.67
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours (inches)
Station County Value
CORPUS CHRISTI NAS NUECES 7.38
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
DALHART 6 SW HARTLEY 50.9
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
BROWNSVILLE INTL AP CAMERON 74.7
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
DALHART 6 SW HARTLEY 65.2
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
CASTOLON BREWSTER 88.8
Highest Maximum Temperature  (°F)
Station County Value
BOQUILLAS RS BREWSTER 101
Lowest Maximum Temperature  (°F)
Station County Value
PINE SPRINGS NP CULBERSON 36
MT LOCKE JEFF DAVIS 36
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
DALHART 6 SW HARTLEY 36.5
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
PORT ISABEL CAMERON 67.2
Highest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
BROWNSVILLE INTL AP CAMERON 76
BROWNSVILLE CAMERON 76
Lowest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
DALHART MUNI AP DALLAM 22
DALHART 6 SW HARTLEY 22
DIMMITT 2 N CASTRO 22
LIPSCOMB LIPSCOMB 22
MIAMI ROBERTS 22
PANHANDLE CARSON 22

New Monthly Records

Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
CORPUS CHRISTI INTL AP NUECES 9.21 8.04 (1956) 118
CORPUS CHRISTI NAS NUECES 10.38 9.37 (1997) 59
ACTON RCH CROCKETT 3.89 2.29 (1997) 10
AQUILLA 1 SSE HILL 6.42 5.40 (1997) 13
BANKERSMITH GILLESPIE 8.86 6.32 (1997) 20
CALLIHAM MCMULLEN 6.20 5.56 (1992) 25
CHALK MTN ERATH 8.08 6.83 (1969) 41
CHOKE CANYON DAM LIVE OAK 6.67 5.68 (1997) 20
COMFORT 2 KENDALL 8.47 6.70 (1997) 14
CRYSTAL CITY ZAVALA 6.04 5.08 (1979) 63
DE LEON 5 SW COMANCHE 4.36 3.62 (1993) 12
DENVER CITY YOAKUM 6.05 2.10 (1993) 14
EL PASO 32 ENE HUDSPETH 1.46 0.80 (1991) 21
EL INDIO MAVERICK 11.67 6.94 (1981) 26
FLAT CORYELL 5.84 5.54 (1995) 12
FT MCKAVETT MENARD 5.57 2.64 (1999) 10
FT DAVIS JEFF DAVIS 4.03 3.98 (1987) 86
FT HANCOCK 8 SSE HUDSPETH 1.49 1.30 (1983) 33
FRIONA PARMER 4.81 4.01 (1952) 67
GRANGER DAM WILLIAMSON 6.61 6.34 (1997) 24
HEATH CANYON BREWSTER 2.50 1.84 (1997) 10
HONDO MEDINA 10.73 10.21 (1926) 82
HUDSPETH RIVER RANCH VAL VERDE 5.61 2.58 (1990) 15
HUNT 10 W KERR 6.83 4.30 (1997) 12
INGRAM #2 KERR 7.51 5.98 (1997) 16
KERRVILLE 3 NNE KERR 8.08 7.13 (1977) 30
LEATHERWOOD RCH ERATH 3.85 3.66 (1997) 13
LEVELLAND HOCKLEY 4.36 4.34 (1997) 63
LYTLE 3 W MEDINA 7.61 6.20 (1977) 28
MEDINA 1NE BANDERA 9.19 8.23 (1977) 31
MERIDIAN BOSQUE 7.85 7.08 (1990) 21
MONAHANS WARD 2.74 2.31 (1969) 42
MULESHOE NWR BAILEY 3.27 3.22 (1997) 23
NEW SUMMERFIELD 2W CHEROKEE 6.26 5.10 (1993) 12
NORTHINGTON RCH KENDALL 8.51 6.28 (1997) 18
PEARSALL FRIO 7.27 6.97 (1977) 95
PINE SPRINGS CULBERSON 2.81 2.66 (1942) 24
PRADE RCH REAL 8.36 6.84 (1977) 39
REFUGIO 3 SW REFUGIO 9.93 2.78 (1993) 10
REFUGIO 2 NW REFUGIO 8.74 4.77 (1995) 17
ROCKPORT ARANSAS 9.66 6.25 (1976) 44
RUNGE KARNES 9.87 9.54 (1949) 103
SAN ANTONIO/SEAWORLD BEXAR 8.58 7.99 (1991) 16
SISTERDALE KENDALL 8.86 7.21 (1997) 13
THORNDALE MILAM 6.21 5.58 (1977) 36
THREE RIVERS 8 NE LIVE OAK 7.83 7.40 (1992) 16
TORNILLO 2 SSE EL PASO 2.04 0.67 (1983) 25
TOW LLANO 6.48 5.50 (1997) 27
VANDERPOOL 4N BANDERA 5.83 4.05 (1997) 10
WEST MCLENNAN 6.88 6.54 (1995) 11
WHITEHOUSE 2 SE SMITH 8.23 6.68 (1997) 12
WINTERS 1 NNE RUNNELS 4.89 4.84 (1977) 35
WOODSON THROCKMORTON 6.12 3.61 (1950) 15
YOUNGSPORT BELL 6.92 4.36 (2000) 11
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours Ever in the Month (inches)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
CORPUS CHRISTI NAS NUECES 7.38 5.58 (1997) 59
MCALLEN MILLER INTL AP HIDALGO 3.56 3.29 (1966) 42
ALICE JIM WELLS 4.37 3.85 (1966) 89
ANTELOPE JACK 5.65 4.83 (1990) 67
BANKERSMITH GILLESPIE 3.55 2.78 (1990) 20
BISHOP NUECES 2.21 2.05 (1941) 27
CHOKE CANYON DAM LIVE OAK 2.49 2.14 (1985) 20
COMFORT 2 KENDALL 2.25 2.20 (1997) 14
COTTONWOOD GILLESPIE 4.30 3.80 (1977) 83
DENVER CITY YOAKUM 4.25 1.10 (1999) 14
DIALVILLE 2 W CHEROKEE 5.30 5.05 (1982) 99
DUBLIN 2SE ERATH 6.09 6.00 (1990) 99
EL INDIO MAVERICK 5.60 4.57 (1981) 26
FT DAVIS JEFF DAVIS 2.50 1.80 (1941) 86
GORDONVILLE GRAYSON 4.33 3.07 (2002) 10
GRANGER DAM WILLIAMSON 2.80 2.80 (1997) 24
HEATH CANYON BREWSTER 0.96 0.80 (1997) 10
HONDO MEDINA 4.63 4.50 (1926) 82
HUDSPETH RIVER RANCH VAL VERDE 2.80 1.42 (1990) 15
HUNT 10 W KERR 4.00 2.48 (1999) 12
INGRAM #2 KERR 3.26 2.62 (1943) 16
KERRVILLE 3 NNE KERR 3.64 2.60 (1977) 30
KNAPP 2 SW SCURRY 3.45 2.59 (1941) 68
LAKE PALO PINTO PALO PINTO 1.58 1.31 (1997) 10
LEATHERWOOD RCH ERATH 2.05 1.68 (1994) 13
MULESHOE NWR BAILEY 1.58 1.55 (1997) 23
NEW SUMMERFIELD 2W CHEROKEE 4.54 2.63 (2003) 12
REFUGIO 3 SW REFUGIO 3.47 1.40 (2000) 10
ROBSTOWN NUECES 4.35 3.78 (1969) 56
TORNILLO 2 SSE EL PASO 1.40 0.35 (1996) 25
VALLEY MILLS BOSQUE 3.31 2.10 (1996) 12
VANDERPOOL 4N BANDERA 2.70 1.62 (1995) 10
WEST MCLENNAN 5.00 3.00 (1995) 11
WHITNEY DAM BOSQUE 5.75 4.79 (1952) 55
WOODSON THROCKMORTON 3.74 2.42 (1951) 15
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
DENVER CITY YOAKUM 72.7 73.8 (1990) 13
KENT 8 SE JEFF DAVIS 71.9 74.0 (1992) 10
MASON MASON 74.3 75.2 (1983) 27
Lowest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
ACTON RCH CROCKETT 50 53 (1997) 10
ARANSAS WR ARANSAS 57 59 (1997) 42
BISHOP NUECES 57 59 (1949) 21
CANYON DAM COMAL 49 49 (1987) 41
DENVER CITY YOAKUM 44 45 (2000) 13
EL CAMPO WHARTON 57 57 (1949) 30
FOWLERTON LA SALLE 55 55 (1997) 42
GOLDTHWAITE 1 WSW MILLS 49 49 (1997) 41
KENT 8 SE JEFF DAVIS 40 41 (1989) 10
GEORGETOWN LAKE WILLIAMSON 48 48 (1992) 23
REFUGIO 2 NW REFUGIO 56 57 (1997) 17
Highest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
BROWNSVILLE CAMERON 76 76 (2001) 17
GAINESVILLE 5 ENE COOKE 68 67 (2002) 16

Climatic Averages for May

  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 84.7 109 (2000) 61.0 33 (1907) 2.83 13.19 (1957) 6.78 (1908) 8.7 0.0 7.7 20 253
Amarillo 78.6 103 (1996) 51.7 26 (1907) 2.50 9.81 (1951) 6.75 (1951) 4.0 0.1 8.3 94 90
Austin 84.8 104 (1925) 65.4 40 (1925) 5.03 14.10 (1895) 6.16 (1929) 7.3 0.0 9.5 2 323
Brownsville 86.9 102 (1999) 71.6 41 (1895) 2.48 9.12 (1982) 7.38 (1929) 11.9 0.0 5.0 0 457
College Station 85.3 101 (1906) 65.3 42 (1954) 5.05 14.70 (1929) 7.36 (1983) 5.8 0.0 8.6 5 324
Corpus Christi 85.6 103 (1984) 69.5 45 (1925) 3.48 10.44 (1941) 6.60 (1926) 5.5 0.0 6.6 0 402
Dallas‑Fort Worth 83.2 107 (1927) 63.0 34 (1903) 5.15 13.66 (1982) 6.99 (1908) 5.3 0.0 9.0 13 265
Del Rio 88.7 109 (2000) 66.7 45 (1970) 2.31 10.23 (1957) 6.53 (2003) 15.2 0.0 7.3 1 401
El Paso 86.7 104 (1951) 60.6 31 (1967) 0.38 4.22 (1992) 2.40 (1992) 13.2 0.0 2.8 8 262
Galveston 81.4 94 (1984) 72.3 52 (1954) 3.70 11.03 (1991) 7.71 (1975) 0.1 0.0 6.5 0 367
Houston 85.5 99 (1996) 66.1 44 (1978) 5.15 15.87 (1907) 10.36 (1989) 6.4 0.0 8.2 2 328
Lubbock 82.8 109 (2000) 55.6 29 (1917) 2.31 12.69 (1941) 5.14 (1949) 8.6 0.0 7.1 38 179
Midland 86.8 108 (2000) 58.8 34 (1970) 1.79 7.63 (1992) 4.75 (1968) 12.5 0.0 6.1 18 254
Port Arthur 84.3 101 (1905) 66.4 45 (1917) 5.83 20.58 (1923) 12.76 (1923) 2.5 0.0 7.2 1 324
San Angelo 85.6 109 (2000) 60.6 35 (1967) 3.09 11.24 (1987) 3.12 (1987) 11.4 0.0 7.1 13 277
San Antonio 86.0 103 (1989) 65.5 43 (1984) 4.72 14.07 (1935) 6.82 (1937) 8.3 0.0 9.2 1 344
Victoria 85.1 102 (1928) 68.1 45 (1954) 5.12 14.66 (1993) 8.45 (1972) 6.3 0.0 7.4 1 368
Waco 84.8 102 (1985) 63.3 37 (1981) 4.46 15.00 (1965) 7.18 (1953) 7.6 0.0 9.0 7 292
Wichita Falls 83.5 110 (2000) 59.3 36 (1979) 3.92 13.22 (1982) 5.70 (1975) 7.9 0.0 8.6 23 220
Shreveport, LA 83.2 102 (1998) 62.7 42 (1960) 5.25 14.47 (1884) 8.35 (1908) 3.9 0.0 9.6 8 242
Climatic averages are based on 1971-2000 monthly normals, which are provided by the National Climatic Data Center.
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