Texas Climate Report: March 2009
By far, March has been one of the wettest months since August 2008. All but six first-order stations received at least their normal monthly precipitation. Of those six that did not, Victoria and Amarillo received at least 80% of their average precipitation. Far West and Deep South Texas received very little rainfall in the month; according to the drought monitor however, El Paso is not in severe drought, though parts of coastal Texas near Victoria up through San Antonio and Central Texas, conditions are exceptionally dry. Most of the rainfall came from a stalled system that soaked Texas over a few days. East Texas has improved and is inching its way closer to non-drought conditions; College Station’s scenery has greened up especially, with bluebonnets blanketing the ground in some places. Though over 5 inches of rain was seen during the month in some parts of Texas, ending the drought will take much more precipitation. Forecasts show that La Nina will weaken dramatically as May and June arrive; in fact, El Nino conditions are forecasted to take over the Pacific Ocean in the fall, which should produce a wetter, cooler Texas climate and give Texas the rain it has been looking for.
Temperatures remained slightly above average across the state, though much closer to normal than February’s temperatures. Though unusually warm at times, several cold fronts that included a strong cold front during the first half of the month, dropped temperatures dramatically. Several of these systems brought some rainfall, as seen from up to 11 precipitation days in Houston. The highest maximum temperature recorded for a first-order station was 101°F in Brownsville; most others reached high 80s to low 90s.
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 |
72.2 |
+3.1 |
90 |
47.0 |
+3.2 |
21 |
59.6 |
+3.2 |
5 |
1.42 |
101% |
0.72 |
225 |
63 |
Amarillo |
67.0 |
+4.8 |
85 |
35.4 |
+1.8 |
19 |
51.2 |
+3.3 |
6 |
1.01 |
89% |
0.80 |
420 |
0 |
Austin |
75.4 |
+2.9 |
86 |
52.2 |
+1.3 |
33 |
63.8 |
+2.1 |
9 |
3.04 |
142% |
1.78 |
142 |
113 |
Brownsville |
79.5 |
+1.5 |
101 |
59.5 |
|
38 |
69.5 |
+0.7 |
4 |
0.11 |
12% |
0.07 |
62 |
208 |
College Station |
73.2 |
+0.6 |
86 |
51.1 |
+0.6 |
31 |
62.2 |
+0.6 |
7 |
5.07 |
179% |
1.59 |
165 |
86 |
Corpus Christi |
77.5 |
+1.7 |
93 |
56.1 |
‑0.1 |
34 |
66.8 |
+0.8 |
6 |
0.99 |
57% |
0.42 |
97 |
162 |
Dallas‑Fort Worth |
69.5 |
+1.2 |
86 |
48.3 |
+1.9 |
29 |
58.9 |
+1.5 |
7 |
5.56 |
182% |
3.66 |
239 |
58 |
Del Rio |
77.7 |
+1.7 |
91 |
53.1 |
+1.5 |
35 |
65.4 |
+1.6 |
3 |
1.52 |
158% |
1.45 |
110 |
130 |
El Paso |
73.9 |
+3.7 |
85 |
45.3 |
+1.6 |
33 |
59.6 |
+2.6 |
2 |
0.06 |
23% |
0.05 |
183 |
26 |
Galveston |
70.1 |
+0.1 |
77 |
57.1 |
‑1.1 |
37 |
63.6 |
‑0.5 |
10 |
3.73 |
135% |
1.20 |
115 |
78 |
Houston |
73.2 |
‑0.1 |
84 |
52.5 |
+1.2 |
34 |
62.8 |
+0.5 |
11 |
4.08 |
121% |
1.40 |
152 |
92 |
Lubbock |
72.0 |
+5.8 |
89 |
39.5 |
+3.3 |
19 |
55.8 |
+4.6 |
3 |
0.37 |
49% |
0.28 |
301 |
23 |
Midland |
73.6 |
+2.7 |
90 |
43.5 |
+2.7 |
21 |
58.5 |
+2.6 |
2 |
0.56 |
133% |
0.28 |
231 |
38 |
Port Arthur |
72.2 |
+0.2 |
82 |
53.0 |
+0.6 |
33 |
62.6 |
+0.4 |
9 |
5.15 |
137% |
2.82 |
150 |
83 |
San Angelo |
75.4 |
+4.3 |
92 |
47.5 |
+4.2 |
22 |
61.4 |
+4.2 |
4 |
1.73 |
175% |
1.00 |
181 |
79 |
San Antonio |
77.5 |
+3.2 |
88 |
52.8 |
+2.9 |
34 |
65.1 |
+3.0 |
8 |
2.51 |
133% |
2.01 |
117 |
128 |
Victoria |
76.3 |
+2.9 |
89 |
51.8 |
‑2.1 |
29 |
64.0 |
+0.3 |
5 |
1.80 |
80% |
0.70 |
131 |
110 |
Waco |
73.0 |
+2.8 |
86 |
48.7 |
+1.9 |
25 |
60.9 |
+2.4 |
6 |
4.91 |
198% |
3.14 |
199 |
79 |
Wichita Falls |
71.6 |
+4.4 |
90 |
44.0 |
+2.9 |
21 |
57.8 |
+3.6 |
5 |
0.37 |
16% |
0.24 |
263 |
49 |
Shreveport, LA |
69.1 |
‑0.6 |
83 |
46.9 |
‑0.3 |
29 |
58.0 |
‑0.5 |
8 |
6.48 |
155% |
2.21 |
258 |
47 |
*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 |
WINKLER CO AP |
WINKLER |
0.00 |
BENAVIDES 2 |
DUVAL |
0.00 |
CANDELARIA |
PRESIDIO |
0.00 |
ESCOBAS |
ZAPATA |
0.00 |
KENT 8 SE |
JEFF DAVIS |
0.00 |
PANHANDLE |
CARSON |
0.00 |
PANTHER JUNCTION |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
PECOS 8 W |
REEVES |
0.00 |
TORNILLO 2 SSE |
EL PASO |
0.00 |
VALENTINE |
JEFF DAVIS |
0.00 |
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches) |
Station |
County |
Value |
KOUNTZE |
HARDIN |
13.43 |
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours (inches) |
Station |
County |
Value |
BRANDON |
HILL |
4.70 |
Lowest Average Daily Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
PERRYTON |
OCHILTREE |
45.5 |
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
MCALLEN MILLER INTL AP |
HIDALGO |
72.8 |
Lowest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
DOG CANYON |
CULBERSON |
59.5 |
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
MCALLEN MILLER INTL AP |
HIDALGO |
84.3 |
Highest Maximum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
MCALLEN MILLER INTL AP |
HIDALGO |
102 |
Lowest Maximum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
DALHART |
DALLAM |
22 |
Lowest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
PERRYTON |
OCHILTREE |
28.4 |
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND |
CAMERON |
62.2 |
Highest Minimum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
HARLINGEN RIO GRANDE AP |
CAMERON |
73 |
BROWNSVILLE INTL AP |
CAMERON |
73 |
MCALLEN MILLER INTL AP |
HIDALGO |
73 |
C C BOTANICAL GARDENS |
NUECES |
73 |
MCALLEN |
HIDALGO |
73 |
SANTA ROSA 3 WNW |
HIDALGO |
73 |
Lowest Minimum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
WARREN 2 S |
TYLER |
9 |
New Monthly Records
Least Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
ALICE INTL AP |
JIM WELLS |
0.05 |
0.12 (1952) |
12 |
BENAVIDES 2 |
DUVAL |
0.00 |
0.00 (2002) |
40 |
CANDELARIA |
PRESIDIO |
0.00 |
0.00 (2008) |
64 |
CHARLIE |
CLAY |
0.47 |
0.52 (2003) |
12 |
CHILDRESS 2 |
CHILDRESS |
0.57 |
0.57 (2008) |
12 |
KENT 8 SE |
JEFF DAVIS |
0.00 |
0.00 (1998) |
20 |
PANHANDLE |
CARSON |
0.00 |
0.00 (1997) |
82 |
PANTHER JUNCTION |
BREWSTER |
0.00 |
0.00 (2008) |
53 |
TORNILLO 2 SSE |
EL PASO |
0.00 |
0.00 (2008) |
29 |
VALENTINE |
JEFF DAVIS |
0.00 |
0.00 (2002) |
29 |
WHITE RIVER RESERVOIR |
CROSBY |
0.25 |
0.29 (2008) |
11 |
Greatest Precipitation Overall for the Month (inches) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
BRANDON |
HILL |
6.94 |
6.77 (2008) |
17 |
CAMP VERDE 3W |
KERR |
4.72 |
3.52 (1998) |
10 |
HUMBLE PUMP STN 5 WN |
SUTTON |
4.16 |
3.93 (1990) |
55 |
JACKSONVILLE |
CHEROKEE |
7.52 |
7.46 (1979) |
45 |
KOUNTZE |
HARDIN |
13.43 |
11.35 (1993) |
25 |
NEW SUMMERFIELD 2W |
CHEROKEE |
8.19 |
7.91 (2001) |
11 |
SILSBEE 4 N |
HARDIN |
7.27 |
5.92 (2001) |
14 |
VALLEY MILLS |
BOSQUE |
6.03 |
5.35 (2001) |
13 |
WILDWOOD |
TYLER |
10.26 |
8.46 (2001) |
17 |
Greatest Precipitation in 24 Hours Ever in the Month (inches) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
BURNET MUNI AP |
BURNET |
3.70 |
2.72 (2007) |
10 |
TYLER POUNDS FLD |
SMITH |
2.80 |
2.00 (1905) |
26 |
ALVARADO 4NE |
JOHNSON |
3.55 |
2.87 (2008) |
14 |
BARDWELL DAM |
ELLIS |
3.95 |
2.77 (1995) |
44 |
BRADY |
MCCULLOCH |
2.77 |
2.60 (1998) |
77 |
BRANDON |
HILL |
4.70 |
3.74 (2008) |
17 |
CAMP VERDE 3W |
KERR |
4.10 |
2.16 (1998) |
10 |
CENTER CITY |
MILLS |
3.80 |
3.21 (1998) |
46 |
COMFORT 2 |
KENDALL |
4.00 |
3.50 (2007) |
18 |
FOLLETT |
LIPSCOMB |
3.17 |
2.70 (2000) |
66 |
GOLD |
GILLESPIE |
3.13 |
2.64 (1998) |
57 |
GOLDTHWAITE 1 WSW |
MILLS |
3.24 |
3.24 (1998) |
74 |
HUMBLE PUMP STN 5 WN |
SUTTON |
3.30 |
2.35 (2007) |
55 |
HUNT 10 W |
KERR |
3.30 |
2.35 (1992) |
14 |
HURST SPRINGS |
CORYELL |
4.50 |
3.52 (2007) |
45 |
KERRVILLE 3 NNE |
KERR |
3.29 |
3.00 (2007) |
35 |
MEDINA 1NE |
BANDERA |
4.69 |
4.19 (2007) |
37 |
VANDERPOOL 10 N |
BANDERA |
3.00 |
2.79 (2004) |
13 |
VANDERPOOL 4N |
BANDERA |
3.93 |
3.75 (2004) |
15 |
WACO DAM |
MCLENNAN |
2.90 |
2.83 (1965) |
37 |
WINNSBORO 6 SW |
WOOD |
3.60 |
2.98 (2006) |
54 |
Highest Average Daily Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
PINE SPRINGS NP |
CULBERSON |
55.5 |
54.4 (2000) |
10 |
DELL CITY 5 SSW |
HUDSPETH |
57.9 |
57.0 (2006) |
28 |
ODESSA |
ECTOR |
61.6 |
59.3 (2004) |
10 |
Highest Average Daily Maximum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
BORGER HUTCHINSON CO AP |
HUTCHINSON |
67.8 |
67.8 (2007) |
10 |
PINE SPRINGS NP |
CULBERSON |
67.6 |
67.3 (2000) |
10 |
ABERNATHY |
HALE |
69.8 |
68.7 (2003) |
11 |
PADUCAH 15 S |
KING |
73.1 |
71.9 (2000) |
11 |
WHITE RIVER RESERVOIR |
CROSBY |
71.2 |
70.7 (2000) |
12 |
Highest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
HARLINGEN RIO GRANDE AP |
CAMERON |
101 |
101 (1954) |
20 |
PINE SPRINGS NP |
CULBERSON |
82 |
81 (2006) |
10 |
ABERNATHY |
HALE |
89 |
89 (2002) |
11 |
CANDELARIA |
PRESIDIO |
99 |
98 (1986) |
44 |
ROCKPORT |
ARANSAS |
91 |
91 (1975) |
46 |
WHITE RIVER RESERVOIR |
CROSBY |
92 |
91 (2008) |
12 |
Lowest Maximum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
BURNET MUNI AP |
BURNET |
40 |
45 (2001) |
11 |
COTULLA LA SALLE CO AP |
LA SALLE |
49 |
50 (2001) |
11 |
NEW BRAUNFELS MUNI AP |
GUADALUPE |
44 |
47 (2001) |
12 |
ANGLETON BRAZORIA AP |
BRAZORIA |
48 |
48 (2002) |
10 |
CONROE MONTGOMERY CO AP |
MONTGOMERY |
44 |
44 (2002) |
11 |
HUNTSVILLE MUNI AP |
WALKER |
42 |
46 (2001) |
11 |
HOUSTON HOOKS MEM AP |
HARRIS |
44 |
45 (2002) |
10 |
MCKINNEY MUNI AP |
COLLIN |
40 |
43 (1999) |
10 |
ATLANTA |
CASS |
38 |
42 (1999) |
10 |
CALLIHAM |
MCMULLEN |
47 |
50 (2001) |
10 |
LUFKIN 11 NW |
ANGELINA |
40 |
41 (2002) |
13 |
REFUGIO 3 SW |
REFUGIO |
48 |
50 (2002) |
10 |
REFUGIO 2 NW |
REFUGIO |
47 |
49 (1996) |
19 |
SAN ANTONIO 8 NNE |
BEXAR |
44 |
45 (1998) |
12 |
SAN SABA 7 NW |
SAN SABA |
40 |
41 (2008) |
10 |
VICTORIA RGNL AP |
VICTORIA |
46 |
50 (2002) |
10 |
Highest Average Daily Minimum Temperature (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
PINE SPRINGS NP |
CULBERSON |
43.4 |
42.5 (2006) |
10 |
DELL CITY 5 SSW |
HUDSPETH |
39.4 |
38.9 (2004) |
28 |
ODESSA |
ECTOR |
49.4 |
48.6 (2004) |
10 |
YSLETA |
EL PASO |
44.8 |
44.7 (1999) |
59 |
Highest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
ROBERT GRAY AAF |
BELL |
69 |
68 (2008) |
12 |
NEW BRAUNFELS MUNI AP |
GUADALUPE |
71 |
71 (2008) |
12 |
TYLER POUNDS FLD |
SMITH |
70 |
70 (2006) |
32 |
PINE SPRINGS NP |
CULBERSON |
58 |
58 (2002) |
10 |
BORGER |
HUTCHINSON |
59 |
59 (1995) |
58 |
Lowest Minimum Temperature Ever in the Month (°F) |
Station |
County |
Value |
Previous Record |
Yrs. Data |
MCKINNEY MUNI AP |
COLLIN |
22 |
23 (2008) |
10 |
NAVARRO MILLS DAM |
NAVARRO |
15 |
15 (1996) |
45 |
WARREN 2 S |
TYLER |
9 |
17 (1968) |
33 |
Climatic Averages for April
|
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 |
77.3 |
102 (1925) |
51.8 |
25 (1973) |
1.67 |
9.80 (1890) |
4.63 (1914) |
2.5 |
0.6 |
5.1 |
113 |
94 |
Amarillo |
70.6 |
98 (1989) |
41.7 |
13 (1920) |
1.33 |
6.45 (1997) |
2.68 (1911) |
0.7 |
4.3 |
5.4 |
291 |
18 |
Austin |
78.9 |
99 (2006) |
57.6 |
30 (1926) |
2.51 |
19.82 (1915) |
10.00 (1915) |
1.6 |
0.0 |
7.2 |
44 |
147 |
Brownsville |
82.3 |
102 (1984) |
65.2 |
37 (1903) |
1.96 |
10.35 (1991) |
9.37 (1991) |
3.1 |
0.0 |
4.0 |
7 |
287 |
College Station |
78.8 |
98 (1893) |
56.9 |
28 (1973) |
3.20 |
12.50 (1957) |
5.30 (1953) |
0.7 |
0.1 |
6.9 |
40 |
127 |
Corpus Christi |
80.7 |
102 (1984) |
62.3 |
33 (1987) |
2.05 |
9.21 (2004) |
7.19 (1956) |
1.9 |
0.0 |
5.2 |
19 |
229 |
Dallas‑Fort Worth |
75.9 |
101 (2006) |
54.0 |
29 (1989) |
3.20 |
17.64 (1922) |
8.81 (1922) |
0.9 |
0.2 |
7.2 |
74 |
72 |
Del Rio |
82.7 |
106 (1984) |
58.5 |
33 (1987) |
1.71 |
7.51 (1981) |
4.57 (1969) |
6.6 |
0.0 |
5.2 |
27 |
207 |
El Paso |
78.1 |
98 (1989) |
51.1 |
23 (1983) |
0.23 |
2.24 (1931) |
1.08 (1966) |
2.3 |
0.9 |
1.7 |
100 |
72 |
Galveston |
75.2 |
92 (1953) |
64.7 |
38 (1938) |
2.56 |
11.04 (1904) |
9.23 (1904) |
0.0 |
0.0 |
5.5 |
15 |
163 |
Houston |
79.1 |
95 (1987) |
57.9 |
31 (1987) |
3.60 |
10.92 (1976) |
8.16 (1976) |
0.9 |
0.1 |
7.0 |
48 |
147 |
Lubbock |
74.7 |
100 (1989) |
45.4 |
18 (1920) |
1.29 |
6.18 (1915) |
2.18 (1997) |
1.6 |
1.4 |
5.0 |
182 |
48 |
Midland |
78.8 |
101 (1996) |
48.6 |
20 (1973) |
0.73 |
3.59 (1931) |
2.00 (1931) |
3.8 |
0.9 |
3.2 |
120 |
77 |
Port Arthur |
77.8 |
94 (1987) |
58.6 |
32 (1987) |
3.84 |
15.30 (1973) |
10.09 (1973) |
0.3 |
0.0 |
6.7 |
41 |
140 |
San Angelo |
79.0 |
107 (1925) |
51.0 |
23 (1926) |
1.60 |
5.10 (1977) |
3.32 (1971) |
4.7 |
0.8 |
4.6 |
93 |
107 |
San Antonio |
80.4 |
101 (1996) |
56.9 |
31 (1987) |
2.60 |
11.64 (1915) |
6.78 (1915) |
2.2 |
0.0 |
7.3 |
42 |
161 |
Victoria |
79.2 |
100 (1920) |
60.1 |
33 (1987) |
2.97 |
11.70 (1997) |
9.87 (1991) |
0.8 |
0.0 |
6.4 |
28 |
181 |
Waco |
77.6 |
101 (1963) |
54.2 |
27 (1975) |
2.99 |
13.37 (1957) |
5.09 (1957) |
1.4 |
0.2 |
6.7 |
77 |
111 |
Wichita Falls |
75.5 |
102 (2006) |
49.3 |
24 (1975) |
2.62 |
8.50 (1957) |
4.09 (1967) |
1.9 |
0.7 |
6.5 |
140 |
66 |
Shreveport, LA |
76.6 |
96 (1887) |
53.8 |
31 (1989) |
4.42 |
21.84 (1991) |
10.44 (1991) |
0.1 |
0.2 |
8.2 |
89 |
87 |
Climatic averages are based on 1971-2000 monthly normals, which are provided by the National Climatic Data Center. |