Climate Summary for January 2015

The background map in Figure 1 shows the geographic regions of west-central Texas, which are referenced in this monthly weather summary. 

Figure 1:  Geographic Regions of West-Central Texas.

Precipitation for January was well-above normal across much of west-central Texas.  Figure 2 (below) shows the total precipitation for January. 

Figure 2: Total precipitation for January.

The monthly precipitation was over 2 inches across most of the Big Country, Concho Valley into Schleicher County, and Heartland areas.  For much of the southern third of the area, the monthly precipitation was in the 1-2 inch range.  Temperatures averaged below normal for the month.  Table 1 (below) summarizes January 2015 temperature, precipitation, and departure from normal for Abilene and San Angelo.

Table 1: January Climate Data for Abilene and San Angelo.

The ice event, which began on December 30th, continued into New Year's Day across west-central Texas.  Road conditions remained very icy.  Some additional freezing drizzle and light freezing rain occurred.  With the approach of an upper level storm system from the southwestern states, freezing rain occurred on the 2nd across the Big Country.  Farther south across central and southern parts of west-central Texas, a cold rain occurred as temperatures climbed above freezing.  Some thunderstorms also occurred in Junction. 

Temperatures warmed into the 50s for highs across  most of west-central Texas on the 3rd with gusty west winds, as the upper level storm system quickly lifted north of the area and drier air overspread the region. 

The weather pattern, which started in late December, continued through the first half of January with temperatures averaging well-below normal across west-central Texas.  With this setup, strong high pressure systems moved south-southeast out of Canada and into the central United States.  This brought several intrusions of cold air south into the area, marked by the passage of strong cold fronts.  Gusty north winds followed passage of the cold front on January 7, and Abilene recorded a peak wind gust of 42 mph.  Behind this cold front, the high pressure system which moved south into U.S. was near-record setting across parts of the Plains states.   

A brief warmup occurred on the afternoon of the 11th when highs were in the mid 50s to mid 60s, with mostly sunny skies and south-southwest winds.

Following a cold frontal passage on the 12th, cloud cover became widespread across west-central Texas.  This resulted in cold daytime temperatures in the following days, as the cloud cover persisted.  Highs were in the 30s on the 13th and 14th.

With a significant change in the pattern during the middle of the month, temperatures were much warmer across west-central Texas, with much less cloud cover.

Fairly strong and gusty north winds followed passage of a cold front across the Big Country on the 17th.  Peak wind gusts were in the 40-45 mph range at a few stations.  This included Abilene, where a 41 mph peak wind gust was recorded.  On the 20th, temperatures were warm just ahead of an approaching cold front. Highs were in the upper 70s to lower 80s across much of the region south of Interstate 20. 

A cold rain event with some wet snow occurred on January 22-23, as an upper level storm system moved east into Texas from the southwestern states.  Figure 3 (below) shows rainfall amounts for this event.

Figure 3: Precipitation for the 7-day period ending at 6 AM, January 28.

Precipitation amounts across nearly all of west-central Texas were greater than one half inch, with much of the area receiving 1-2 inches. 

As colder air filtered into the area, some wet snow occurred.  Snowfall amounts of 1-2 inches occurred in areas with higher elevation in the western, central and southern parts of west-central Texas. A trace of snowfall occurred at Abilene and San Angelo.

Dry conditions with a warming trend in daytime temperatures occurred on January 24-28.  Highs were well-above normal, in the mid 70s to near 80 on the 27th and in the upper 70s to lower 80s on the 28th.  Temperatures were cooler following a cold frontal passage on the 29th.

Another wet weather event occurred at the end of the month, on the 31st.  Upper level disturbances entered Texas in southwest flow aloft, and interacted with increasing moisture.  Figure 4 (below) shows rainfall amounts for this event. 

Figure 4: Precipitation for the 7-day period ending at 6 AM, February 2.

Rainfall amounts of one half to three quarters of an inch occurred across most of the area northwest of a line from Albany to Abilene to San Angelo to Ozona.