February 2012 Weather Highlights for West-Central Texas

Precipitation for February varied from below to much above normal across west-
central Texas.  Precipitation across much of the Big Country north of Interstate 
20 was below normal, where the monthly amounts varied under one onch.  For the
far southern Big Country, the montly amounts of 1-2 inches were above normal.
Far western parts of west-central Texas (Sterling County south across western
Irion and western Crockett Counties) received amounts which ranged from slightly
below to slightly above normal for February.  For most of the rest of the region 
encompassing the central and eastern Concho Valley, Northern Edwards Plateau, 
Heartland and Northwest Hill Country, the monthly amounts were much above normal
(in the range of 2-5 inches). 

Temperatures averaged above normal for the month.

At Abilene Regional Airport, the average temperature for February was 50.8 degrees.  
This was 2.2 degrees above the normal average temperature of 48.6 degrees.  Total 
precipitation for Abilene in February was 1.70 inches.  This was 0.34 inches above
the normal of 1.36 inches. Total snowfall for Abilene in February was 1.4 inches.

At San Angelo Regional Airport, the average temperature for February was 51.1 
degrees.  This was 1.8 degrees above the normal average temperature of 49.3 degrees.  
Total precipitation for San Angelo was 2.70 inches.  This was 1.35 inches above the 
normal of 1.35 inches.  Total snowfall for San Angelo in February was 0.5 inches.

February 2012 Weather Highlights...

The bulk of precipitation for the month occurred during the early and middle parts
of February.  A change to a drier weather pattern occurred during the last 10 days
of the month.

In the early part of the month, high temperatures were well-above normal on the 1st
through 3rd.  The airmass became unstable on the 3rd.  With the approach and 
arrival of a cold front, widely scattered showers and thunderstorms occurred on the 
afternoon of the 3rd.  A few storms contained small hail.  Rainfall amounts mostly
varied under one half inch, but a few locations across the northern Heartland 
received between one half and one inch.  Following the cold frontal passage, 
daytime temperatures were much cooler on the 4th through 6th.

Patchy light rain occurred across southern sections of west-central Texas on the
5th, in association with an an upper level disturbance over southern Texas.    
A few showers produced small hail on the morning of the 6th, southeast of a line 
from Eldorado to Eden to Brownwood.  

With the approach of an upper level disturbance from the northwest, light rain and
showers occurred from the late evening of the 9th into the early morning hours of
the 10th.  A much colder airmass invaded the region on the 11th...and high 
temperatures ranged from the mid to upper 30s across the Big Country...to the 45 
to 50 degree range across southern sections of west-central Texas.

A winter precipitation event occurred on the 12th into the post-Midnight hours of
the 13th, as upper level disturbances from the west and southwest interacted with 
a cold airmass. An area of snow, mixed at times with sleet, developed across 
southern sections of west-central Texas on the morning of the 12th.  This area of 
precipitation overspread central and northern sections of west-central Texas 
throughout the day...resulting in accumulating snowfall for the region. Some light
freezing rain also occurred, but with temperatures near the freezing mark and a
relatively warm ground, ice accumulations were minimal.  However, with slippery
spots on area roadways from the snow and sleet, several traffic accidents were 
reported on Interstate 10.

Total snowfall amounts were an inch or less across the southern half of west-
central Texas.  Across the northern half of the area, amounts were mostly in the
range of 1 to 2 inches.  Abilene recorded 1.4 inches, and San Angelo received 0.5
inches.

A wet weather period with significant rainfall occurred on the 16th to 18th. 
Rain with scattered thunderstorms occurred across central and southern sections of
west-central Texas during the overnight hours of the 16th and 17th.  By the morning 
of the 17th, rainfall amounts of one half to one inch occurrred in a band extending
from southwestern Crockett County northeast across southern Coleman and southern
Brown Counties. These amounts also occurred in scattered pockets across the 
southern Heartland.

With the approach and arrival of an upper level storm system from northern Mexico,
widespread showers and a few thunderstorms occurred from the nighttime hours of the
17th into the afternoon of the 18th. Rainfall amounts of more than one half inch
occurred across a large part of west-central Texas, with the exception (lesser
amounts) across far western and northern parts of the area.  The heavier amounts,
in the range of 1.5 to 3 inches, occurred across much of the Northern Edwards
Plateau, Concho Valley, Heartland, and Northwest Hill Country.  Amounts of 1 to
2 inches occurred across parts of the southern Big Country.

This rainfall brought short-term relief to the ongoing drought conditions.     
Daily record rainfall amounts were set at San Angelo on the 17th.

Drier and warmer conditions developed on the 20th and continued through the 23rd.
Gusty southwest to west winds brought drier air into the region on the 20th...
and a peak wind gust of 40 mph was recorded in Abilene on this date.  Some blowing
dust also occurred in the Big Country. High temperatures were well-above normal 
(in the 80s) on the 22nd and 23rd.  In addition, gusty west winds brought an 
intrusion of very dry air into the region.  A peak wind gust of 49 mph was recorded  
at San Angelo on the 23rd. Also on the 23rd, a record high temperature of 85 
degrees was tied at San Angelo. Some blowing dust occurred across the Big Country
on the 23rd.

Following a dry cold frontal passage on the evening and night of the 23rd, 
temperatures were much cooler on the 24th, when highs were in the mid to upper 50s.

Low-level moisture returned to the region by the 27th with east to southeast winds.
Low cloudiness was widespread, with patchy fog, drizzle, and light rain.  Rainfall
amounts were less than one tenth of an inch.

Gusty south winds occurred on the 28th, and a peak wind gust of 48 mph was recorded 
at Abilene.  A much drier airmass occupied the region on the 29th.