November 2012 Weather Highlights for West-Central Texas

 ...2nd Driest November Tied at San Angelo... 
...4th Warmest November for San Angelo... 
...7th Warmest November for Abilene... 

The monthly precipitation was near to above normal in the south-central part of West 
Central Texas, and well-below normal across most of the rest of the area. A few 
locations northeast of Abilene received monthly precipitation amounts over one half 
inch. Numerous locations across the south-central part of west-central Texas received 
amounts for the month between one half and 1.5 inches. The highest monthly amounts, 
between 2 and 3 inches, occurred at isolated locations in eastern Tom Green, 
northwestern Concho, far southern Runnels, and southwestern Kimble counties, and along 
the border of southeastern Schleicher and northeastern Sutton Counties. For much of 
west-central Texas outside of the above-mentioned areas, however, the monthly 
precipitation was less than 10 percent of normal, with amounts less than one tenth of 
an inch. 

Temperatures averaged well-above normal for the month. 

At Abilene Regional Airport, the average temperature for November was 59.0 degrees. 
This was 4.4 degrees above the normal average temperature of 54.6 degrees. This marks 
the 7th warmest November on record for Abilene. Total precipitation for Abilene in 
November was 0.29 inches. This was 1.12 inches below the normal of 1.41 inches. 

At San Angelo Regional Airport, the average temperature for October was 59.8 degrees. 
This was 4.5 degrees above the normal average temperature of 55.3 degrees. This marks 
the 4th warmest November on record for San Angelo. Total precipitation for San Angelo 
was only a trace. This was 1.14 inches below the normal of 1.14 inches. This tied the 
2nd driest November on record at San Angelo. A trace of November precipitation has also 
been recorded on ten previous years in San Angelo. 


November 2012 Weather Highlights... 

A rather dry weather pattern prevailed during November. This was brought about by a 
lack of strong upper level disturbances, and a lack of moisture available when the 
disturbances and cold fronts moved across West Central Texas. Most of the preciptation 
for the month occurred with one event early in the month. 

Temperatures were warm on the first couple days of the month, with afternoon highs in 
the 80s. With the approach of a weak upper level disturbance and arrival of a cold 
front from the north, scattered showers and thunderstorms occurred on the 3rd. The 
coverage was greatest across southern parts of west-central Texas. Rainfall was locally 
heavy, with widely scattered locations receiving 1-3 inch amounts. 

Daytime temperatures were warm on the 6th through 9th, as an upper level high pressure 
system moved east across Texas and the southern Plains. Afternoon highs were in the 80s 
during this time period. Gusty south winds brought an increase in low-level moisture on 
the 8th through 10th. This resulted in nighttime temperatures which were well-above 
normal. Record high minimum temperatures were set at Abilene on the 9th (63 degrees), 
and at San Angelo on the 10th (65 degrees). Peak wind gusts reached 43 mph at Abilene 
and 40 mph at San Angelo, on the 10th. 

A few rain showers occurred across the Big Country on the 11th with the approach of a 
cold front, but the amounts were less than one quarter of an inch. A stronger cold 
front advanced south across the region later on the 11th, and much cooler air followed 
passage of this front, with high pressure settling south into west-central Texas. Clear 
skies, light winds and rather dry air allowed temperatures to drop into the 20s for 
early morning lows on the 12th, at numerous locations. Highs on the 12th ranged from 
the mid 50s across the Big Country to the lower 60s in far southern sections of west- 
central Texas. A freeze occurred farther south across the southern half of west-central 
Texas on the early morning of the 14th, where lows were mostly in the mid to upper 20s. 

The weather pattern across the area was quiet during the middle of November (15-21). A 
few light rain showers occurred across far northwestern and southern parts of west- 
central Texas on the 18th, but rainfall amounts were less than one tenth of an inch. 
A few light rain showers, associated with a weak upper level disturbance, occurred 
across northern and central sections of West Central Texas on the 22nd. Rainfall 
amounts were less than one tenth of an inch. Temperatures were well-above normal on 
Thanksgiving Day (22nd). Following a dry cold frontal passage (during the overnight 
hours of the 22nd and 23rd), temperatures were much cooler on the 23rd. 

Temperatures quickly moderated and were well-above normal again on the 25th across the 
Big Country, and the 26th across central and southern sections of West Central Texas. 
Another dry cold frontal passage on the 26th was followed by much cooler temperatures 
on the 27th. Temperatures quickly moderated once again during the last few days of the 
month. Areas of fog occurred on the early morning of the 30th across the Heartland, 
Northwest Hill Country, and Northern Edwards Plateau. The fog was locally dense 
(visibility of one quarter of a mile or less) at Brownwood, Brady, and Junction.