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Texas Climate Report: July 2008

July 2008 included many different climatological settings. The first hurricane to hit landfall in 2008 occurred in late July, when Hurricane Dolly, a category 2 hurricane at its most intense, hit the southern tip of Texas. Although there were some strong winds associated with Dolly, there was also plentiful rainfall distributed through much of far south Texas. Brownsville recorded over 13 inches of rain for July, with over 6.50" in 24 hours associated with Hurricane Dolly. Thus there has been flooding in the southern valley region. Corpus Christi also received some needed rainfall at the same time, totaling over 9 inches for the month. However, the only other first-order stations to receive above average rainfall are El Paso in far West Texas and Amarillo in far North Texas. The central hill country was especially dry in July, with Abilene receiving one hundredth of an inch the entire month, San Angelo less than 0.20", and Austin recording less than 20% of its normal rainfall. A majority of stations received less than 50% of their normal precipitation.

Mean temperatures throughout the state have literally been split right down the middle in terms of departure from normal. West, North, and South Texas experienced cooler than normal mean temperatures, with departures from a few tenths of a degree to nearly 3 degrees cooler in El Paso and Corpus Christi. In Central and East Texas, temperatures have been around average to slightly above average. Notable exceptions, however, include Dallas/Fort Worth, which was 4 degrees above their mean temperature; Austin was about 2 degrees above average; also, Wichita Falls, which hit 110°F, was 1.9°F above average. Temperatures, especially at the beginning of the month, were mild for July and moderated average temperatures. The plentiful rainfall for Corpus Christi and Brownsville no doubt helped to cool temperatures. Statistically, scientists say that the active hurricane season thus far does not necessarily mean an active season as August and September come to pass. But it is a fact that the most active part of the season historically is in the very near future.

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 95.7 +0.9 106 71.1 ‑1.2 66 83.4 ‑0.1 1 0.01 1% 0.01 0 578
Amarillo 89.8 ‑1.2 98 65.1 ‑0.2 59 77.4 ‑0.8 11 4.96 185% 2.79 0 391
Austin 99.1 +4.1 105 74.0 +0.6 69 86.6 +2.4 2 0.38 19% 0.30 0 676
Brownsville 89.3 ‑3.1 95 75.9 +0.5 72 82.6 ‑1.3 11 13.24 748% 6.68 0 554
College Station 97.5 +1.9 102 73.8 +0.2 69 85.6 +1.0 4 0.38 20% 0.27 0 647
Corpus Christi 89.5 ‑3.7 94 73.0 ‑1.4 68 81.2 ‑2.6 10 9.43 472% 4.72 0 510
Dallas‑Fort Worth 99.8 +4.4 105 78.2 +3.6 72 89.0 +4.0 3 0.81 38% 0.37 0 753
Del Rio 94.6 ‑1.6 102 74.1 ‑0.2 71 84.3 ‑1.0 8 0.97 48% 0.43 0 605
El Paso 90.7 ‑3.8 97 70.2 ‑1.8 65 80.5 ‑2.8 13 4.34 291% 1.81 0 487
Galveston 90.3 +1.6 94 79.1 ‑0.7 74 84.7 +0.4 8 2.10 61% 0.69 0 617
Houston 95.6 +2.0 100 74.2 +0.7 69 84.9 +1.3 4 1.09 34% 0.83 0 625
Lubbock 90.6 ‑1.3 101 67.9 +0.2 62 79.2 ‑0.6 7 1.77 83% 0.70 0 448
Midland 92.7 ‑1.6 100 70.0 +0.9 64 81.4 ‑0.3 4 0.70 37% 0.58 0 513
Port Arthur 92.7 +1.1 98 73.6 ‑0.2 71 83.2 +0.5 9 2.80 54% 1.54 0 572
San Angelo 96.2 +1.8 106 69.9 ‑0.5 63 83.0 +0.6 5 0.19 17% 0.07 0 567
San Antonio 94.3 ‑0.3 99 73.8 ‑0.2 68 84.1 ‑0.2 8 3.86 190% 1.39 0 598
Victoria 95.0 +1.6 100 71.9 ‑3.1 67 83.5 ‑0.7 12 2.21 76% 0.57 0 579
Waco 98.7 +2.0 104 73.9 ‑0.2 65 86.3 +0.9 5 0.66 30% 0.46 0 672
Wichita Falls 99.0 +1.8 110 74.4 +2.0 67 86.7 +1.9 8 1.05 66% 0.55 0 682
Shreveport, LA 95.8 +2.5 103 72.6 ‑0.8 64 84.2 +0.8 6 1.08 27% 0.49 0 601
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.

jul 2008 average temperatures
jul 2008 average precipitation

Monthly Extremes

Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value
GRAHAM YOUNG 0.00
SULPHUR SPRINGS HOPKINS 0.00
COOPER DAM HOPKINS 0.00
FARMERSVILLE HUNT 0.00
FORSAN HOWARD 0.00
GREENVILLE KGVL RADIO HUNT 0.00
HAGANSPORT FRANKLIN 0.00
HARLETON HARRISON 0.00
LENORAH MARTIN 0.00
MENTONE LOVING 0.00
MIDWAY 4 NE MADISON 0.00
MT PLEASANT TITUS 0.00
STUDY BUTTE 30NNE BREWSTER 0.00
VALENTINE 10 WSW PRESIDIO 0.00
VERNON WILBARGER 0.00
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value
WESLACO HIDALGO 14.88
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours (inches)
Station County Value
WESLACO HIDALGO 7.20
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
DOG CANYON CULBERSON 67.3
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
DALLAS FT WORTH AP TARRANT 89.0
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
DOG CANYON CULBERSON 76.6
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
CROCKETT HOUSTON 100.8
Highest Maximum Temperature  (°F)
Station County Value
WICHITA FALLS MUNI AP WICHITA 110
CASTOLON BREWSTER 110
LAJITAS BREWSTER 110
Lowest Maximum Temperature  (°F)
Station County Value
MT LOCKE JEFF DAVIS 64
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
DOG&nbsnbsp;CANYON CULBERSON 57.9
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
GALVESTON GALVESTON 79.2
PORT ARANSAS NUECES 79.2
Highest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
GALVESTON SCHOLES FLD GALVESTON 83
GALVESTON GALVESTON 83
Lowest Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value
VEGA 2 NW OLDHAM 53

New Monthly Records

Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
GRAHAM YOUNG 0.00 0.00 (2003) 96
SULPHUR SPRINGS HOPKINS 0.00 0.00 (1924) 97
CONROE MONTGOMERY CO AP MONTGOMERY 0.61 0.64 (2000) 10
FT WORTH ALLIANCE AP TARRANT 0.02 0.03 (2000) 10
FARMERSVILLE HUNT 0.00 0.00 (2000) 55
FORSAN HOWARD 0.00 0.00 (2006) 59
FT GRIFFIN SHACKELFORD 0.08 0.09 (2003) 11
GREENVILLE KGVL RADIO HUNT 0.00 0.00 (1934) 101
HAGANSPORT FRANKLIN 0.00 0.00 (1999) 84
HARLETON HARRISON 0.00 0.00 (1999) 55
LENORAH MARTIN 0.00 0.00 (2001) 63
LUMBERTON HARDIN 1.25 1.50 (2000) 13
MIDWAY 4 NE MADISON 0.00 0.00 (1994) 31
MT PLEASANT TITUS 0.00 0.10 (1993) 64
MT VERNON FRANKLIN 0.06 0.07 (1993) 42
VALENTINE 10 WSW PRESIDIO 0.00 0.29 (1966) 74
VERNON WILBARGER 0.00 0.00 (1980) 73
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
HARLINGEN RIO GRANDE AP CAMERON 9.76 6.03 (1955) 20
BROWNSVILLE INTL AP CAMERON 13.24 9.43 (1976) 126
BENAVIDES 2 DUVAL 9.35 7.71 (2003) 36
EDINBURG HIDALGO 11.62 10.88 (2007) 10
FALCON DAM STARR 10.52 7.09 (1976) 46
FALFURRIAS BROOKS 12.78 11.57 (1976) 92
HEBBRONVILLE JIM HOGG 9.57 8.99 (1976) 97
LA JOYA HIDALGO 7.40 5.45 (2005) 11
MERCEDES 6 SSE HIDALGO 14.44 10.32 (1976) 92
TORNILLO 2 SSE EL PASO 5.08 4.43 (1988) 29
WESLACO HIDALGO 14.88 9.74 (1975) 88
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours Ever in the Month (inches)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
HARLINGEN RIO GRANDE AP CAMERON 3.55 3.16 (2007) 20
BROWNSVILLE INTL AP CAMERON 6.68 4.25 (1976) 127
BONITA 4 NW MONTAGUE 3.65 1.86 (1951) 10
FALCON DAM STARR 5.25 3.05 (1991) 46
FALFURRIAS BROOKS 6.90 4.52 (1934) 92
HEBBRONVILLE JIM&nbsnbsp;HOGG 4.35 3.82 (2002) 97
LA JOYA HIDALGO 3.30 2.05 (2003) 11
MERCEDES 6 SSE HIDALGO 6.75 5.96 (1983) 92
SANFORD DAM HUTCHINSON 3.50 1.82 (1996) 15
SILVER VALLEY COLEMAN 2.08 2.05 (1976) 34
SPUR DICKENS 4.31 3.93 (1914) 74
WATER VALLEY 11 NNE COKE 2.03 2.02 (1979) 48
WESLACO HIDALGO 7.20 4.77 (1983) 88
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
DELL CITY 5 SSW HUDSPETH 77.3 77.6 (1991) 27
LA JOYA HIDALGO 83.7 85.7 (2007) 10
MERCEDES 6 SSE HIDALGO 81.7 82.4 (1926) 34
SANTA ROSA 3 WNW HIDALGO 82.8 83.5 (1991) 20
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
FRIONA PARMER 84.9 85.2 (1975) 47
HART CASTRO 86.5 86.5 (1991) 22
LA JOYA HIDALGO 92.1 95.1 (2007) 13
LA TUNA 1 S EL PASO 89.4 89.9 (1962) 60
MERCEDES 6 SSE HIDALGO 89.4 91.3 (2007) 35
SANTA ROSA 3 WNW HIDALGO 91.1 92.2 (1991) 21
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
CROCKETT HOUSTON 100.8 100.7 (1914) 70
Highest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
MCALLEN MILLER INTL AP HIDALGO 106 106 (1998) 48
Lowest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
BROWNSVILLE INTL AP CAMERON 78 78 (1976) 125
ALICE INTL AP JIM WELLS 80 82 (2007) 14
BISHOP NUECES 80 81 (2003) 25
BRACKETTVILLE 22 N KINNEY 80 84 (1994) 10
FALCON DAM STARR 80 81 (2005) 45
LA JOYA HIDALGO 77 82 (2005) 13
MERCEDES 6 SSE HIDALGO 77 80 (2007) 35
PERSIMMON GAP BREWSTER 74 75 (1999) 22
RIO GRANDE CITY STARR 74 75 (1975) 79
SANTA ROSA 3 WNW HIDALGO 75 81 (2003) 21
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
VICTORIA RGNL AP VICTORIA 71.9 72.3 (1999) 91
SAN ANTONIO STINSON AP BEXAR 72.7 72.8 (2004) 11
AUSTIN BERGSTROM AP TRAVIS 70.0 70.7 (2004) 58
CONROE MONTGOMERY CO AP MONTGOMERY 70.6 71.5 (2004) 11
HUNTSVILLE MUNI AP WALKER 73.4 73.7 (2005) 10
DEWEYVILLE NEWTON 70.7 71.0 (1990) 23
MASON MASON 66.7 67.0 (1976) 28
ORANGE 9 N ORANGE 70.7 71.0 (1990) 23
PLEASANTON ATASCOSA 72.6 72.8 (2004) 17
SANFORD DAM HUTCHINSON 65.5 65.5 (2007) 15
WASHINGTON SP WASHINGTON 69.5 69.7 (1967) 51
WELDER W'LIFE FOUND SAN PATRICIO 73.0 73.9 (2000) 15
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
LIVINGSTON 2 NNE POLK 76.4 73.7 (1949) 68
Highest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
HONDO MUNI AP MEDINA 80 78 (1998) 30
NEW BRAUNFELS MUNI AP GUADALUPE 77 77 (2006) 10
DRIPPING SPRINGS 6 E HAYS 78 78 (1992) 24
LIVINGSTON 2 NNE POLK 82 79 (1941) 68
Lowest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F)
Station County Value Previous Record Yrs. Data
NEW BRAUNFELS MUNI AP GUADALUPE 64 64 (1999) 10
CONROE MONTGOMERY CO AP MONTGOMERY 63 64 (2007) 11
HUNTSVILLE MUNI AP WALKER 63 65 (2007) 10
JOE POOL LAKE DALLAS 57 58 (1994) 10
LUFKIN 11 NW ANGELINA 61 62 (2007) 10
SANFORD DAM HUTCHINSON 54 54 (2002) 15

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 (2005) 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 93.4 104 (2005) 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 6.85 (2006) 2.89 (2005) 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 5.92 (2006) 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) 5.60 (2007) 25.5 0.0 5.2 0 519
San Antonio 94.7 108 (1986) 73.6 57 (1891) 2.57 11.14 (1974) 5.79 (2007) 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) 4.67 (2005) 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.
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