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Texas Climate Report: December 2004

Unlike the rest of 2004, December was much drier than normal. Despite some arctic air at the end of the month, a large portion of the state was above average for temperatures as well. The month began cool and dry with a cold front pushing through the state during the 5th-6th. The heaviest rainfall was in East Texas and along the Upper Coast, but totals barely exceeded an inch over those two days. A high pressure system settled over the state and temperatures warmed significantly until a dry cold front began to pass over on the 11th. Lows in the western half of the state dropped to the 20s and 10s during the middle of the month.

Another high pressure system warmed temperatures over their normals once again. On the 22nd, however, a large trough brought a mass of arctic air over the state. High temperatures dropped from the 60s and 70s to the 20s and 30s. A low pressure system brought heavy snow to much of the state giving many people a white Christmas. On the 24th-26th, snowfall totals reached as high as 12.5" in Victoria – a new daily and monthly record. Corpus Christi received 4.0", and Houston and Galveston saw snow on Christmas for the first time in their history.

The month ended with another warm up as highs reached near 80°F in the south. For the month, only Lubbock (103%) and Brownsville (132%) were above normal for precipitation. Temperatures were below normal across the entire southern half of the state with the exception of San Antonio. Temperatures in the northern half was well above normal for the month of December.

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 59.0 +2.1 72 35.5 +1.6 16 47.3 +1.9 2 0.73 57% 0.43 542 0
Amarillo 53.9 +4.1 70 25.9 +1.8 0 39.9 +2.9 4 0.48 79% 0.27 773 0
Austin 63.4 +1.1 80 41.5 ‑0.4 24 52.5 +0.4 4 0.33 14% 0.11 387 6
Brownsville 73.0 +2.8 85 51.7 ‑0.3 28 62.4 +1.3 7 1.46 132% 0.67 156 82
College Station 63.5 +0.7 78 41.5 25 52.5 +0.3 6 1.07 33% 0.30 387 8
Corpus Christi 69.1 +1.1 87 45.2 ‑2.9 22 57.1 ‑1.0 2 0.48 27% 0.27 265 29
Dallas‑Fort Worth 60.0 +3.5 75 37.7 +0.9 18 48.9 +2.2 3 0.65 25% 0.57 494 2
Del Rio 64.5 +1.0 80 38.4 ‑2.8 21 51.4 ‑1.0 3 0.40 53% 0.35 413 0
El Paso 54.8 ‑2.6 67 32.7 ‑0.7 16 43.8 ‑1.6 4 0.36 47% 0.34 654 0
Galveston 63.6 ‑0.7 78 50.5 ‑1.3 32 57.0 ‑1.1 9 2.55 72% 0.94 258 19
Houston 64.2 ‑0.4 79 43.4 +0.6 28 53.8 +0.1 8 1.95 53% 0.99 350 11
Lubbock 56.5 +3.3 75 28.0 +1.9 3 42.3 +2.6 5 0.69 103% 0.50 697 0
Midland 57.3 ‑1.1 73 31.2 16 44.2 ‑0.6 4 0.11 17% 0.06 632 0
Port Arthur 63.2 ‑0.7 77 43.5 ‑1.0 26 53.3 ‑0.9 13 2.78 53% 0.78 366 12
San Angelo 60.1 +0.8 75 33.0 ‑0.5 17 46.6 +0.2 2 0.38 40% 0.33 564 0
San Antonio 65.3 +1.3 81 41.0 +0.2 24 53.1 +0.7 2 0.08 4% 0.06 368 7
Victoria 66.1 +0.9 80 42.8 ‑2.4 21 54.4 ‑0.8 8 1.91 77% 1.52 332 12
Waco 61.3 +2.2 77 38.3 +0.8 21 49.8 +1.5 4 1.30 47% 0.77 468 4
Wichita Falls 58.1 +3.6 73 32.8 +1.5 11 45.4 +2.5 3 0.76 45% 0.54 599 0
Shreveport, LA 60.3 +1.8 75 37.4 ‑0.9 22 48.8 +0.4 7 2.78 61% 1.52 496 2
*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.

dec 2004 average temperatures
dec 2004 average precipitation

Monthly Extremes

Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value
COTULLA LA SALLE CO AP LA SALLE 0.00
PRESIDIO PRESIDIO 0.00
BELMONT GONZALES 0.00
BIG WELLS 2W DIMMIT 0.00
CHARLOTTE 5 NNW ATASCOSA 0.00
EL INDIO MAVERICK 0.00
FLORESVILLE WILSON 0.00
HEATH CANYON BREWSTER 0.00
KINGSBURY GUADALUPE 0.00
LANGTRY VAL VERDE 0.00
MEDINA 1NE BANDERA 0.00
MIDLAND 4 ENE MIDLAND 0.00
PEARSALL FRIO 0.00
POTEET ATASCOSA 0.00
RICHLAND SPRINGS SAN SABA 0.00
RIOMEDINA MEDINA 0.00
SABINAL UVALDE 0.00
SISTERDALE KENDALL 0.00
STERLING CITY 8 NE STERLING 0.00
STUDY BUTTE BREWSTER 0.00
TERLINGUA RCH BREWSTER 0.00
WHITEHOUSE 2 SE SMITH 0.00
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value
KOUNTZE HARDIN 6.25
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours (inches)
Station County Value
HEMPHILL 6 NE SABINE 2.10
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
DALHART 6 SW HARTLEY 34.9
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
BROWNSVILLE INTL AP CAMERON 62.4
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
CHANNING 2 HARTLEY 49.9
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
BROWNSVILLE INTL AP CAMERON 73.0
Highest Maximum Temperature  (°F)
Station County Value
FALCON DAM STARR 89
Lowest Maximum Temperature  (°F)
Station County Value
SANFORD DAM HUTCHINSON 1
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
LIPSCOMB LIPSCOMB 17.9
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
PORT ISABEL CAMERON 52.2
Highest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
BROWNSVILLE CAMERON 74
Lowest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
HART CASTRO -11

New Monthly Records

Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
COTULLA LA SALLE CO AP LA SALLE 0.00 0.00 (1977) 90
HONDO MUNI AP MEDINA 0.02 0.07 (1990) 27
PRESIDIO PRESIDIO 0.00 0.00 (1996) 68
BELLVILLE 6 NNE AUSTIN 0.40 0.71 (1999) 24
BIG WELLS 2W DIMMIT 0.00 0.00 (2003) 78
CALDWELL BURLESON 0.58 0.60 (1985) 41
CALLIHAM MCMULLEN 0.09 0.12 (1996) 25
CANYON DAM COMAL 0.11 0.21 (1989) 37
CHARLOTTE 5 NNW ATASCOSA 0.00 0.00 (1973) 43
CHEAPSIDE GONZALES 0.10 0.21 (1948) 11
EL INDIO MAVERICK 0.00 0.00 (2003) 26
FLAT CORYELL 0.41 0.73 (2003) 13
FLORESVILLE WILSON 0.00 0.00 (1995) 83
HEATH CANYON BREWSTER 0.00 0.00 (2003) 10
LANGTRY VAL VERDE 0.00 0.00 (2003) 49
LYTLE 3 W MEDINA 0.08 0.08 (1985) 29
MEDINA 1NE BANDERA 0.00 0.00 (1999) 32
MIDLAND 4 ENE MIDLAND 0.00 0.00 (2003) 78
NORTHINGTON RCH KENDALL 0.23 0.25 (2003) 19
PEARSALL FRIO 0.00 0.00 (2003) 92
POTEET ATASCOSA 0.00 0.00 (1973) 61
RICHLAND SPRINGS SAN SABA 0.00 0.00 (2003) 53
RIOMEDINA MEDINA 0.00 0.00 (1990) 67
SABINAL UVALDE 0.00 0.00 (1973) 86
SAN ANTONIO/SEAWORLD BEXAR 0.07 0.14 (2003) 14
SEGUIN 1 SSW GUADALUPE 0.01 0.17 (2003) 13
SISTERDALE KENDALL 0.00 0.20 (2003) 15
SPEAKS 2 LAVACA 0.50 0.51 (1967) 37
STERLING CITY 8 NE STERLING 0.00 0.00 (2003) 25
TERLINGUA RCH BREWSTER 0.00 0.00 (2001) 10
VALLEY MILLS BOSQUE 0.44 1.08 (1993) 11
WHITEHOUSE 2 SE SMITH 0.00 1.94 (1993) 13
WIMBERLEY 1 NW HAYS 0.14 0.36 (1990) 20
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
BISHOP NUECES 55.0 55.8 (1944) 17
Highest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
PORT ARANSAS NUECES 80 79 (2003) 16
Lowest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
BISHOP NUECES 35 40 (2000) 20
EDEN CONCHO 24 25 (1972) 39
FREER DUVAL 34 34 (1998) 27
ODESSA ECTOR 27 28 (1980) 11
SANFORD DAM HUTCHINSON 1 12 (1998) 12
STUDY BUTTE BREWSTER 32 37 (1998) 11
VALENTINE JEFF DAVIS 30 30 (1997) 21
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
PLEASANTON ATASCOSA 37.5 38.0 (1997) 11
TERLINGUA RCH BREWSTER 31.4 31.7 (2000) 11
Highest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
BROWNSVILLE CAMERON 74 74 (1909) 17
Lowest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
BISHOP NUECES 23 28 (2003) 17
BROWNSVILLE CAMERON 2 24 (1917) 17
DENVER CITY YOAKUM 1 3 (1990) 14
DIMMITT 2 N CASTRO -8 -6 (1982) 42
FT WORTH WSFO TARRANT 15 15 (1996) 10
FREER DUVAL 18 18 (1966) 29
HART CASTRO -11 -7 (1987) 18
LAKE ALAN HENRY GARZA 10 10 (1998) 11
SANFORD DAM HUTCHINSON -3 4 (1998) 12
SILVERTON BRISCOE -10 -6 (1989) 42
TULIA SWISHER -10 -4 (1990) 56

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 55.2 90 (1911) 31.8 ‑9 (1947) 0.97 4.35 (1968) 2.18 (1961) 0.0 16.5 5.1 678 0
Amarillo 48.9 83 (1927) 22.6 ‑11 (1984) 0.63 2.67 (1999) 1.74 (1968) 0.0 27.5 4.3 920 0
Austin 60.3 90 (1971) 40.0 ‑2 (1949) 1.89 9.21 (1991) 4.41 (1991) 0.0 6.6 7.7 475 7
Brownsville 68.7 93 (1971) 50.5 18 (1881) 1.36 5.11 (1945) 3.00 (1988) 0.1 1.0 7.7 206 54
College Station 60.6 90 (1999) 39.8 ‑3 (1949) 3.32 15.60 (1991) 5.63 (1991) 0.0 7.7 8.7 472 13
Corpus Christi 66.0 91 (1971) 46.2 14 (1962) 1.62 10.78 (1958) 6.38 (1958) 0.1 2.5 7.7 299 32
Dallas‑Fort Worth 54.1 93 (1911) 34.0 ‑2 (1949) 1.90 9.07 (1932) 4.01 (2002) 0.0 13.4 7.1 650 3
Del Rio 62.8 92 (1911) 39.7 12 (1918) 0.57 4.12 (1931) 1.91 (1994) 0.0 5.9 4.8 423 2
El Paso 57.2 80 (1970) 32.9 ‑8 (1962) 0.45 1.84 (1949) 1.28 (1896) 0.0 17.8 4.7 632 0
Galveston 61.9 78 (1989) 49.7 11 (1886) 4.08 10.75 (1991) 5.38 (1923) 0.0 1.9 10.5 316 18
Houston 62.3 87 (1902) 41.2 5 (1930) 3.68 13.11 (1891) 5.89 (1891) 0.0 6.3 10.5 427 15
Lubbock 51.9 87 (1914) 24.4 ‑16 (1963) 0.50 4.05 (1949) 1.96 (1939) 0.0 24.8 4.2 818 0
Midland 56.8 84 (1974) 29.6 ‑8 (1962) 0.53 4.99 (1939) 2.56 (1939) 0.0 19.3 3.9 680 0
Port Arthur 61.5 84 (1909) 42.9 11 (1930) 5.69 14.87 (1991) 6.94 (1998) 0.0 4.9 10.2 411 11
San Angelo 57.9 91 (1911) 31.8 1 (1947) 0.82 3.65 (1961) 2.49 (1961) 0.0 16.4 5.1 617 0
San Antonio 62.1 89 (1971) 38.6 0 (1949) 1.66 8.52 (1968) 3.18 (1968) 0.0 7.8 7.6 455 7
Victoria 62.8 88 (1971) 43.6 12 (1949) 2.44 7.76 (1991) 4.70 (1991) 0.0 4.1 8.8 372 18
Waco 57.0 90 (1943) 35.1 ‑5 (1949) 1.90 6.56 (1932) 4.79 (1998) 0.0 12.4 7.4 589 2
Wichita Falls 52.1 87 (1969) 28.9 ‑12 (1947) 1.12 4.48 (1968) 2.25 (1919) 0.0 20.5 4.9 762 0
Shreveport, LA 56.2 85 (1950) 36.5 ‑2 (1930) 4.60 12.96 (1999) 7.52 (1885) 0.0 12.7 9.7 597 6
Climatic averages are based on 1971-2000 monthly normals, which are provided by the National Climatic Data Center.
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