Texas Climate Report: July 2005

The month of July started off extremely hot across the entire state with triple-digit heat in most locations across the entire state. For example, College Station set or tied daily record highs on four of the first seven days of the month. However, the surge in temperature was tempered over the remainder of the month, with many areas actually seeing below normal temperatures the rest of July. Del Rio was a substantial 3.4°F above normal for the month, but was actually below normal for the month. Overall, temperatures were above normal across Texas with the exception of the Low Rolling Plains region.

Precipitation was also above normal throughout most of the Lone Star state, especially across the southeastern part of the state. College Station had more than twice its normal July rainfall, including 1.98" of rain on the 14th. The abundance of rainfall in the Upper Coast region can be attributed to an active sea breeze pattern that popped up afternoon storms in the region. The sea breeze is a wind pattern created by the differences in temperature between the warmer land and cooler Gulf of Mexico. To the south, in the Lower Valley and Southern regions, most of the precipitation was a result of this month’s biggest weather story, Hurricane Emily.

Although it came on shore well to the south of the Rio Grande, Emily brought substantial precipitation to the Lower Valley of Texas. McAllen saw 4.25" of rainfall while isolated areas received in excess of six inches of rainfall on the 20th. However, other areas of Texas have remained dry, such as the Trans Pecos, Edwards Plateau, and North Central regions. Dallas has only received 0.41" of rain while El Paso has squeezed out only 0.12" thus far in July. The emergence of Hurricane Emily onshore brought not only heavy rainfall and high winds, but also tornadoes in many of its outer bands. In all, 12 tornadoes struck extreme southern Texas on the 20th, though none caused any considerable damage.

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	94.5	‑0.3	105	70.7	‑1.6	65	82.6	‑0.9	10	2.42	142%	1.07	0	556
Amarillo	91.7	+0.7	102	64.1	‑1.2	53	77.9	‑0.3	6	1.15	43%	0.89	0	404
Austin	96.4	+1.4	104	73.9	+0.5	69	85.1	+0.9	13	2.75	140%	1.02	0	631
Brownsville	94.8	+2.4	100	77.1	+1.7	74	86.0	+2.1	7	3.32	188%	2.45	0	657
College Station	95.3	‑0.3	102	74.4	+0.8	68	84.8	+0.2	6	2.09	109%	1.30	0	624
Corpus Christi	95.2	+2.0	100	74.5	+0.1	70	84.9	+1.1	8	1.83	92%	1.45	0	624
Dallas‑Fort Worth	95.6	+0.2	102	74.5	‑0.1	70	85.1	+0.1	3	0.74	35%	0.33	0	628
Del Rio	99.6	+3.4	107	76.3	+2.0	71	87.9	+2.6	5	3.73	185%	3.43	0	719
El Paso	98.5	+4.0	107	72.7	+0.7	62	85.6	+2.3	4	0.66	44%	0.28	0	647
Galveston	91.7	+3.0	95	80.5	+0.7	75	86.1	+1.8	9	4.02	117%	1.68	0	664
Houston	93.7	+0.1	101	75.2	+1.7	72	84.4	+0.8	11	5.30	167%	1.57	0	611
Lubbock	91.7	‑0.2	103	67.1	‑0.6	54	79.4	‑0.4	8	2.41	113%	0.69	0	457
Midland	94.3		106	68.8	‑0.3	62	81.5	‑0.2	5	2.52	133%	2.08	0	522
Port Arthur	92.2	+0.6	99	74.6	+0.8	71	83.4	+0.7	16	10.31	197%	2.72	0	577
San Angelo	95.7	+1.3	106	70.2	‑0.2	65	83.0	+0.6	8	1.15	105%	0.80	0	564
San Antonio	95.7	+1.1	102	74.8	+0.8	71	85.3	+1.0	9	2.10	103%	0.91	0	637
Victoria	95.4	+2.0	103	73.5	‑1.5	68	84.5	+0.3	14	4.86	168%	1.30	0	611
Waco	97.0	+0.3	102	73.2	‑0.9	64	85.1	‑0.3	6	1.07	48%	0.43	0	629
Wichita Falls	96.2	‑1.0	105	71.4	‑1.0	64	83.8	‑1.0	7	2.34	148%	0.70	0	591
Shreveport, LA	94.1	+0.8	98	74.2	+0.8	68	84.1	+0.7	10	4.60	115%	1.43	0	600
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.

Monthly Extremes

Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station	County	Value
WEST	MCLENNAN	0.35
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station	County	Value
HOUSTON‑PORT	HARRIS	13.53
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours (inches)
Station	County	Value
DEL RIO 2 NW	VAL VERDE	5.62
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
MT LOCKE	JEFF DAVIS	73.2
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
HEATH CANYON	BREWSTER	89.9
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
CHISOS BASIN	BREWSTER	85.5
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
HEATH CANYON	BREWSTER	105.5
Highest Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
HEATH CANYON	BREWSTER	117
Lowest Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
MT LOCKE	JEFF DAVIS	61
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
MARFA 2	PRESIDIO	58.9
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
PORT ARANSAS	NUECES	80.7
Highest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
GALVESTON SCHOLES FLD	GALVESTON	85
PADRE IS NS	KLEBERG	85
Lowest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value
DIMMITT 2 N	CASTRO	47
LIPSCOMB	LIPSCOMB	47

New Monthly Records

Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
AQUILLA 1 SSE	HILL	3.15	2.61 (1995)	14
BELLVILLE 6 NNE	AUSTIN	5.96	5.88 (1990)	25
CORRIGAN 1 ENE	POLK	6.73	5.82 (2003)	14
HOUSTON HEIGHTS	HARRIS	12.29	10.05 (1959)	53
HOUSTON‑PORT	HARRIS	13.53	6.18 (1998)	13
HOUSTON NWSO	GALVESTON	7.50	6.63 (1999)	19
LUMBERTON	HARDIN	7.56	6.12 (1996)	10
MIDWAY 4 NE	MADISON	8.26	6.27 (1995)	28
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours Ever in the Month (inches)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
HARLINGEN RIO GRANDE AP	CAMERON	2.77	2.13 (1955)	17
MCALLEN MILLER INTL AP	HIDALGO	4.26	3.36 (1975)	44
AMISTAD DAM	VAL VERDE	5.58	4.33 (1988)	42
AQUILLA 1 SSE	HILL	2.76	1.25 (1997)	14
BAYTOWN	HARRIS	5.30	4.80 (2002)	22
BERTRAM 3 ENE	BURNET	4.33	4.10 (1973)	37
BIG BEND RCH SP	PRESIDIO	2.40	1.45 (2000)	10
COPE RCH	REAGAN	3.90	3.71 (1948)	57
HENDERSON	RUSK	4.57	4.50 (1911)	98
HOUSTON‑PORT	HARRIS	3.65	2.20 (1995)	13
HOUSTON NWSO	GALVESTON	3.36	2.21 (2003)	19
LAJITAS	BREWSTER	3.65	2.00 (1990)	26
MONAHANS	WARD	4.32	3.50 (1988)	43
PITCHFORK RCH	DICKENS	2.78	2.60 (1973)	30
WOODVILLE	TYLER	2.10	2.10 (1995)	15
YOUNGSPORT	BELL	2.60	2.53 (2002)	14
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
EL PASO 32 ENE	HUDSPETH	81.0	80.7 (2003)	22
FT HANCOCK 8 SSE	HUDSPETH	84.3	84.3 (1980)	28
PORT ARANSAS	NUECES	86.0	85.7 (1996)	17
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
DELL CITY 5 SSW	HUDSPETH	102.2	101.2 (1994)	25
PORT ARANSAS	NUECES	91.4	90.3 (2003)	17
ROCKPORT	ARANSAS	93.3	92.7 (1996)	41
Highest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
HARLINGEN RIO GRANDE AP	CAMERON	104	103 (1954)	16
CORPUS CHRISTI NAS	NUECES	97	97 (1991)	57
WINKLER CO AP	WINKLER	114	111 (2004)	61
BOQUILLAS RS	BREWSTER	116	116 (1998)	30
CASTOLON	BREWSTER	115	115 (1994)	23
FALCON DAM	STARR	110	110 (1998)	42
HEATH CANYON	BREWSTER	117	115 (2001)	11
KARNES CITY 2 N	KARNES	107	106 (2000)	25
LAJITAS	BREWSTER	113	112 (1999)	26
MARATHON	BREWSTER	105	105 (1989)	57
PEARSALL	FRIO	107	107 (1995)	47
PORT ARANSAS	NUECES	94	94 (1996)	17
SAN ANTONIO/SEAWORLD	BEXAR	105	104 (2001)	16
STUDY BUTTE	BREWSTER	111	111 (1994)	12
THOMPSONS 3 WSW	FORT BEND	106	103 (2000)	41
TILDEN 4 SSE	MCMULLEN	109	109 (1998)	43
WELDER W'LIFE FOUND	SAN PATRICIO	103	103 (2000)	14
Lowest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
ARLINGTON SIX FLAGS	TARRANT	76	79 (2004)	15
BALMORHEA	REEVES	67	67 (2004)	75
BOQUILLAS RS	BREWSTER	82	82 (1991)	30
FALCON DAM	STARR	81	82 (1976)	42
LA JOYA	HIDALGO	82	85 (2001)	10
MARATHON	BREWSTER	64	69 (1975)	57
PLAINS	YOAKUM	67	67 (1976)	43
PUTNAM	CALLAHAN	71	72 (1990)	42
SEMINOLE	GAINES	62	64 (2004)	76
STERLING CITY	STERLING	70	72 (1990)	34
STUDY BUTTE	BREWSTER	81	82 (1999)	12
ZAPATA 1 S	ZAPATA	78	78 (1975)	42
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
SULPHUR SPRINGS	HOPKINS	67.3	67.6 (1967)	68
BORGER	HUTCHINSON	60.5	63.2 (1950)	56
DIMMITT 2 N	CASTRO	59.2	59.2 (1976)	42
LAKE ALAN HENRY	GARZA	69.1	70.1 (2004)	12
PANHANDLE	CARSON	61.1	61.5 (1995)	42
TURKEY	HALL	66.3	66.4 (2004)	37
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
BISHOP	NUECES	75.6	75.5 (2001)	20
FT HANCOCK 8 SSE	HUDSPETH	69.5	68.7 (2003)	28
MERCEDES 6 SSE	HIDALGO	76.6	75.5 (1980)	31
THOMPSONS 3 WSW	FORT BEND	75.4	75.0 (1980)	45
Highest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
GALVESTON SCHOLES FLD	GALVESTON	85	85 (1994)	127
PALACIOS MUNI AP	MATAGORDA	84	83 (2004)	62
ACTON RCH	CROCKETT	80	80 (1995)	14
BRAVO	HARTLEY	72	71 (2003)	34
FT HANCOCK 8 SSE	HUDSPETH	79	79 (1980)	28
HOUSTON‑PORT	HARRIS	82	80 (2003)	14
MT LOCKE	JEFF DAVIS	71	71 (1995)	65
SAM RAYBURN DAM	JASPER	77	77 (1980)	38
TAHOKA	LYNN	77	77 (1913)	66
THOMPSONS 3 WSW	FORT BEND	80	79 (1997)	45
Lowest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station	County	Value	Previous Record	Yrs. Data
DALHART MUNI AP	DALLAM	49	49 (1987)	56
BORGER	HUTCHINSON	51	52 (1990)	56
BOYS RANCH	OLDHAM	49	51 (2004)	24
DIMMITT 2 N	CASTRO	47	48 (1990)	42
LITTLEFIELD	LAMB	54	54 (1987)	38
MORTON	COCHRAN	52	53 (1990)	40
MULESHOE #1	BAILEY	48	50 (1988)	77
MULESHOE NWR	BAILEY	49	50 (1990)	26
OLTON	LAMB	51	52 (1990)	39
PANHANDLE	CARSON	51	51 (1990)	42
SILVERTON	BRISCOE	53	53 (1971)	40
TULIA	SWISHER	48	50 (1990)	56
TURKEY	HALL	53	55 (1999)	37

Climatic Averages for August

	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	93.7	111 (1943)	71.4	48 (1915)	2.63	15.70 (1914)	6.30 (1978)	24.6	0.0	5.9	0	535
Amarillo	88.7	106 (1944)	63.8	48 (1915)	2.94	7.55 (1974)	4.26 (1945)	16.5	0.0	8.4	1	345
Austin	95.6	110 (2003)	73.3	58 (1915)	2.31	9.48 (2001)	6.01 (1994)	28.2	0.0	5.2	0	610
Brownsville	92.6	104 (1915)	75.3	63 (1967)	2.99	16.58 (1880)	7.82 (1880)	28.0	0.0	7.2	0	603
College Station	96.2	110 (1903)	73.2	41 (1893)	2.63	11.25 (1915)	9.89 (1947)	27.7	0.0	5.9	0	611
Corpus Christi	93.4	103 (2000)	74.5	64 (2004)	3.54	14.79 (1980)	8.92 (1980)	27.8	0.0	6.9	0	598
Dallas‑Fort Worth	94.8	112 (1936)	74.0	55 (1915)	2.03	10.33 (1915)	5.40 (1915)	26.7	0.0	4.6	0	601
Del Rio	96.0	109 (1969)	74.1	60 (1915)	2.16	20.93 (1998)	17.03 (1998)	28.3	0.0	4.0	0	622
El Paso	92.0	108 (1980)	70.2	52 (1880)	1.75	5.57 (1984)	2.45 (1906)	24.0	0.0	8.8	0	483
Galveston	89.3	100 (2000)	79.5	67 (1966)	4.22	19.08 (1915)	11.46 (2002)	11.1	0.0	9.0	0	601
Houston	93.5	108 (1909)	73.0	54 (1891)	3.83	15.43 (1915)	9.06 (1945)	25.7	0.0	8.9	0	563
Lubbock	90.0	107 (1944)	66.0	43 (1915)	2.36	8.85 (1966)	3.78 (1966)	19.2	0.0	7.6	0	413
Midland	92.8	107 (1964)	67.9	52 (1947)	1.77	5.34 (1934)	5.32 (1934)	23.1	0.0	5.8	0	473
Port Arthur	91.7	108 (2000)	73.2	58 (1911)	4.85	17.26 (1966)	8.45 (1966)	23.8	0.0	11.8	0	546
San Angelo	93.1	111 (1943)	69.4	45 (1915)	2.05	8.13 (1971)	4.67 (1996)	25.5	0.0	5.2	0	519
San Antonio	94.7	108 (1986)	73.6	57 (1891)	2.57	11.14 (1974)	5.57 (1950)	28.0	0.0	5.2	0	601
Victoria	93.7	107 (1962)	74.6	61 (1915)	3.05	8.97 (2001)	6.14 (1964)	27.9	0.0	8.8	0	597
Waco	96.9	112 (1969)	73.5	53 (1992)	1.85	9.98 (1914)	4.80 (1958)	28.1	0.0	5.2	0	628
Wichita Falls	95.8	113 (1964)	71.3	53 (1992)	2.39	11.05 (1914)	4.62 (1971)	26.4	0.0	6.4	0	574
Shreveport, LA	93.4	110 (1909)	72.3	53 (1992)	2.71	10.89 (1912)	6.47 (1912)	25.5	0.0	6.5	0	539
Climatic averages are based on 1971-2000 monthly normals, which are provided by the National Climatic Data Center.