Climate Summary for August 2014

Precipitation for August varied widely across west-central Texas, from much above to much below normal (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Percent of Normal Precipitation for August, 2014.

Monthly rainfall totals for August in west-central Texas (not shown) ranged from less than one-half inch, to more than 6 inches.  The monthly precipitation was below normal across much of the Big Country, and amounts were less than 25 percent of normal just north and east of Abilene.  For central and southern sections of west-central Texas, considerable variability in the monthly precipitation existed across individual counties.  This was due to the scattered coverage of precipitation, limited number of rainfall events, and locally heavy rainfall where the showers and thunderstorms occurred.     

Temperatures averaged above normal for the month.

At Abilene Regional Airport, the average temperature for August was 84.8 degrees. This was 2.0 degrees above the normal average temperature of 82.8 degrees. Total precipitation for Abilene in August was 0.30 inches. This was 2.29 inches below the normal of 2.59 inches.

At San Angelo Regional Airport, the average temperature for August was 83.9 degrees. This was 1.2 degrees above the normal average temperature of 82.7 degrees. Total precipitation for San Angelo was 0.65 inches. This was 1.61 inches below the normal of 2.26 inches.

The number of days in August with high temperatures of 100 degrees or more include:
10 at Abilene, 7 at San Angelo, and 4 at Junction.

Periods of hot and dry weather occurred when upper level high pressure systems were in close proximity to Texas.  The hottest temperatures for the month occurred on August 6-10, 14-16, and 24-26. On these occasions, highs were at or above 100 degrees across various parts of west-central Texas.

Showers and thunderstorms occurred mainly with two types of pattern changes.  When the upper level high pressure systems shifted west of the region and into the western U.S., the change allowed weak upper level disturbances and weak cold fronts to move south into the region and bring scattered showers and thunderstorms.  On some occasions, the upper level high pressure systems weakened and allowed showers and thunderstorms to develop, with the presence of weak upper level disturbances and surface boundaries. 

The more notable rainfall amounts and coverage occurred on August 11, 16-19, and 28-30.

The rainfall for August 16-19 is captured in Figure 2 (below), which shows rainfall amounts for the 7-day period ending at 7 AM on the 21st.

Figure 2.  Rainfall for the 7-day period ending at 7 AM, August 21st.

The heaviest rainfall for this period occurred across central and southern parts of west-central Texas, where amounts over an inch were common.  Scattered locations received 3-5 inches of rainfall.  The highest totals (5-6 inches) occurred in small parts of western Menard, western Kimble, and eastern Sutton Counties.  Flash flooding of roads occurred in the town of Menard on the 18th. 

The rainfall for August 28-30 is captured in Figure 3 (below), which shows rainfall amounts for the 7-day period ending at 7 AM on the 31st.  

 Figure 3.  Rainfall for the 7-day period ending at 7 AM, August 31st.

The heavier rainfall for this period (between 1 and 2.75 inches) occurred at scattered locations across west-central Texas.

A few severe thunderstorms with strong, downburst winds occurred during the month.  A home was damaged 2 miles south of Roby (Fisher County) on the 8th.  Tree limbs were blown down in Ballinger (Runnels County) on the 11th.  In South Llano State Park (Kimble County), several trees were blown down and several large tree branches were snapped on the 18th.