Climate Summary for November 2014

* 10th wettest November on record at San Angelo *

Precipitation for November was well-above normal across a large part of west-central Texas (Figure 1).

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

The highest monthly precipitation (5-7 inches) occurred to the east and south of Abilene, and to the northeast of San Angelo (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Monthly Total Precipitation for November, 2014.

Monthly precipitation of 3-5 inches occurred across a large part of the remainder of west-central Texas.  The lowest monthly amounts (1.5 to 2 inches) were a little closer to normal in parts of Mason and Kimble Counties.  Most of this precipitation came from a wet weather event early in the month. 

Temperatures averaged below normal for the month.

At Abilene Regional Airport, the average temperature for November was 52.1 degrees. This was 2.5 degrees below the normal average temperature of 54.6 degrees. Total precipitation for Abilene in November was 2.44 inches. This was 1.03 inches above the normal of 1.41 inches. Abilene recorded 0.1 inches of snow and a trace of sleet in November.

At San Angelo Regional Airport, the average temperature for November was 53.6 degrees. This was 1.7 degrees below the normal average temperature of 55.3 degrees. Total precipitation for San Angelo was 3.04 inches. This was 1.90 inches above the normal of 1.14 inches.  This marks the 10th wettest November on record at San Angelo.  A trace of snow was recorded at San Angelo in November. 

A combination of clear skies, light winds and drier air allowed temperatures to dip into the 30s for lows across much of west-central Texas, on the early morning of the 1st.  Several locations recorded lows in the lower to mid 30s. 

Gusty south winds developed on the 2nd and continued on the 3rd, well out ahead of a developing upper level storm system over the southwestern U.S.  Abilene Regional Airport recorded peak wind gusts of 46 mph on the 1st and 42 mph on the 2nd.  The south winds brought an increase in moisture to the area from the Gulf of Mexico. 

A widespread and beneficial rain event occurred on the 4th and 5th.  Several factors came together to bring about this notable event for November.  A strong upper level storm system slowly approached from the southwestern states, with southwest flow developing aloft over Texas and Mexico.  With this setup, moisture aloft was pulled into Texas from a late season tropical system in the Eastern Pacific.  Low-level moisture from the Gulf of Mexico was incorporated into the region during the previous 1-2 days.  A cold front moved slowly south across west-central Texas on the 4th, helping to focus an area of showers and thunderstorms across the area.  New daily rainfall records were set on the 4th at San Angelo (2.48 inches) and Abilene (1.99 inches).  A large area of light to moderate rain continued on the 5th.  Figure 3 (below) shows total rainfall amounts for this event. 

Figure 3.  Rainfall for the 7-day period ending at 7 AM, November 6th.

Total rainfall for west-central Texas was generally between 1.5 and 3.5 inches.  A few locations across the southern half of the area received more than 3.5 inches.  This rainfall was beneficial in the short term across the area.  

Temperatures  were much cooler behind the front, accompanied by somewhat gusty north to northeast winds on the 4th.  Rather cool temperatures (in the lower to mid 50s across most of the area) lingered on the 5th as the rain continued, with cloudy skies.       

An abrupt change to much colder temperatures occurred, with passage of a strong cold front during the overnight hours of the 10th and 11th.  After highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s across much of the area on the 10th, daytime temperatures were 30 to 40 degrees colder on the 11th. This change was brought about by an unseasonably cold outbreak, which affected much of the U.S. from the Rockies into the eastern states.  The first widespread freeze of the season occurred on the early morning hours of the 12th and 13th.  Lows were in the 20s areawide on the 13th.  

A brief warmup occurred with south winds on the 15th, before the arrival of another strong cold front on the 16th. This was followed by a light winter precipitation event, which affected much of the northern half of west-central Texas. This occurred as a strong upper level disturbance approached the southern Plains and interacted with the cold air. Light freezing rain and drizzle affected the Big Country area along and north of Interstate 20, followed by light snow. Snow accumulations were less than one inch, and the first measurable snowfall of the season was recorded in Abilene.  With temperatures below freezing, however, the wintry precipitation resulted in hazardous travel conditions across the Big Country as roads became icy.  Cold air remained over the area into the 18th. 

Cold air remained over the area into the 18th, followed by much warmer conditions with highs in the 70s on the 20th and 21st.           

Showers and thunderstorms occurred on the 22nd, with the approach of an upper level storm system from the southwestern states and northern Mexico.  Most of the showers and storms occurred northeast of a line from Barnhart to Eldorado to Mason.  A few of the storms contained small hail.  Figure 4 (below) shows rainfall amounts for the 24-hour period ending at 6 AM on November 23rd.  

Figure 4.  Rainfall for the 24-hour period ending at 6 AM, November 23rd.

Some of the rainfall was heavy.  The highest amounts (3-4 inches) occurred at a few locations east of Abilene (Callahan County), and between Ballinger and Coleman.  Rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 3 inches occurred over a larger area encompassing the northeastern Concho Valley, northwestern Heartland, and eastern Big Country.   

Following departure of this storm system, gusty west-northwest winds developed across much of west-central Texas on the 23rd.  Peak wind between 35 mph and 50 mph were recorded at a number of locations.

The weather pattern was quiet during the final week of November, with dry conditions and a few weak cold frontal passages.