Climate Summary for June 2014

Precipitation for June varied from well-above to well-below normal across west-central Texas (Figure 1).

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

Across the southwestern part of west-central Texas, the monthly precipitation was well-above normal, with parts of the area receiving more than 5 inches.  Above normal precipitation also occurred across the Big Country area from Abilene and Sweetwater northward. The monthly precipitation was below normal across much of the eastern Big Country, the northern and eastern Concho Valley, the Heartland, and in scattered parts of the Northwest Hill Country. The monthly precipitation was less than 50 percent of normal in parts of Brown County.

Temperatures averaged slightly above normal for the month. 

At Abilene Regional Airport, the average temperature for June was 80.3 degrees. This was 0.8 degrees above the normal average temperature of 79.5 degrees. Total precipitation for Abilene in June was 3.75 inches. This was 0.19 inches above the normal of 3.56 inches. 

At San Angelo Regional Airport, the average temperature for June was 80.8 degrees. This was 0.4 degrees above the normal average temperature of 80.4 degrees. Total precipitation for San Angelo was 2.29 inches. This was 0.30 inches below the normal of 2.59 inches.

The number of days in June with high temperatures of 100 degrees or more include:
zero at San Angelo and Abilene, and 1 at Junction. 

Several factors led the lack of days with 100-degree temperatures across west-central Texas in June.  Upper level high pressure systems (which typically bring dry and very hot conditions at this time of year) only temporarily affected west-central Texas, and had not become persistent, dominating features over the region. In addition, the widespread rainfall from late May into June increased the soil moisture and rejuvenated the vegetation.  This led to increased evaporation and transpiration, with more moisture in the atmosphere. Moreover, southeast low-level flow from the Gulf of Mexico occurred on a number of days, helping to keep the air moist across the region.  The increased atmospheric moisture resulted in lower daytime temperatures with humid conditions.  

During the first week of June, a slow warming trend in temperatures occurred, as an upper level high pressure system over Mexico gradually moved northeast into Texas.  More humid conditions occurred with gusty south to southeast winds.  The increased humidity was due, in part, to evapotranspiration of moisture following the heavy rainfall in late May.  

Showers and thunderstorms occurred across a large part of west-central Texas on the 8th and 9th.  This was influenced by an upper level disturbance across the southern Plains, northwest flow aloft over Texas, and a slow-moving cold frontal boundary. Figure 2 (below) shows total rainfall across west-central Texas, for the 7-day period ending at 7 AM on June 10th.  This 7-day period encompasses the rainfall which occurred on the 8th and 9th.    

Figure 2: West-Central Texas Rainfall for the 7-day period ending at 7 AM, June 10.

Major severe weather events occurred in June 11 (affecting San Angelo) and June 12 (affecting Abilene and Rochelle). 

A writeup for these severe weather events (with links to additional information) can be accessed here. The San Angelo Regional Airport recorded a peak wind gust of 53 mph on the 11th, and the Abilene Regional Airport recorded a peak wind gust of 60 mph on the 12th. 

Rain showers with locally heavy rainfall occurred across southwestern sections of west-central Texas on the 21st, as an upper level disturbance moved north into the area and interacted with a very moist airmass. 

Figure 3 (below) shows rainfall amounts across west-central Texas, for the 24-hour period ending at 7 AM on June 21st.   

Figure 3: West-Central Texas Rainfall for the 7-day period ending at 7 AM, June 10.

Some of this area received between 1.5 and 2.7 inches. 

Scattered showers and thunderstorms affected parts of the region during the last week of the month.