October 2011 Weather Highlights for West-Central Texas

...Temperatures averaged above normal across West Central Texas in October...

The monthly total precipitation was near normal across much of west central Texas, with
scattered pockets of above to well above normal amounts.  The monthly amounts were below normal
at a few locations, mainly in the western Concho Valley, Northern Edwards Plateau, and across
southeastern Kimble and southern Mason Counties.  Total precipitation for the month ranged from
less than 1.5 inches to greater than 8 inches.

At Abilene Regional Airport, the average temperature for October was 67.0 degrees.  This was
1.2 degrees above the normal average temperature of 65.8 degrees.  Total precipitation for
Abilene in October was 4.09 inches.  This was 1.11 inches above the normal of 2.98 inches. 

At San Angelo Regional Airport, the average temperature for October was 68.0 degrees.  This was
1.8 degrees above the normal average temperature of 66.2 degrees.  Total precipitation for San
Angelo was 2.91 inches.  This was 0.18 inches above the normal of 2.73 inches. 

October 2011 weather Highlights...

A much needed rainfall event occurred across west central Texas on the 8th and 9th.  Gusty south
to southeast winds occurred on the 6th...7th and 8th...out ahead of an upper level storm system
which developed over the southwestern states. This brought moisture from the Gulf of Mexico into
west central Texas.  Abilene recorded a peak wind gust of 49 mph from the south on the 7th...and
46 mph from the southeast on the 8th. At Junction...a peak wind gust of 45 mph occurred from a
thunderstorm on the 9th. 

With the slow approach of the strong storm system from the west, widespread coverage of showers
and thunderstorms occurred across west central Texas, on the 8th and into the early morning
hours of the 9th.  The storms contained very heavy rainfall.  Rainfall amounts for this event
were mostly in the range of 2 to 5 inches.  The higher amounts, in excess of 5 inches, occurred
across scattered parts of the region east of Highway 277.  In southeastern San Saba County,
rainfall totals were highest for this event, in the range of 6 to 8 inches.  The lowest amounts
of 1 to 2 inches occurred at a few locations mainly in the western part of the region. New daily
record rainfall amounts were set on the 8th at San Angelo and Abilene. 

The heavy rainfall resulted in short-term flooding in Sutton...Brown and San Saba Counties...
where flooding of some roads and low water crossings was reported. 

Temperatures were much cooler areawide on the 9th.  Considerable cloud cover remained over the
region on the 9th...and this helped to hold temperatures into the upper 60s to lower 70s for
highs across most of west central Texas. Patchy dense fog occurred on the early morning of the
10th.  Visibility was reduced to one quarter of a mile or less, at a number of locations across
the region.

Warm and dry conditions occurred in the middle of the month (12th 17th)...as an upper level high
pressure system gradually moved east into the region. On the 17th...new record high temperatures
were set at San Angelo (97 degrees) and Abilene (95 degrees). Gusty north winds followed a
strong cold frontal passage, on the evening and early nighttime hours of the 17th. Peak wind
gusts reached 48 mph at San Angelo, and 47 mph at Abilene.  Some blowing dust also occurred,
mainly over the western Big Country.

Temperatures were much cooler on the 18th, with highs ranging from the mid 60s to lower 70s. 
The combination of clear skies, light winds and a dry airmass allowed temperatures to dip into
the upper 30s to lower 40s for lows across much of the area on the 19th...and across parts of
the area on the 21st. Daytime temperatures were pleasant on the 20th and 21st.

With a warming trend on the 22nd to 25th...highs were in the 80s once again, as another upper
level high pressure system entered the region from the west.  Some moisture increase in moisture
also occurred...well out ahead of an upper level storm system which entered the southwestern
states. 

The approach and arrival of the storm system from the southwestern states into Texas brought
showers and a few thunderstorms to west central Texas on the 27th. The greater coverage and
higher rainfall amounts were across the Big Country.  Rainfall amounts were in the range of one
tenth to one half inch across the northern Big Country, and were mostly less than one tenth of
an inch across the region south of Interstate 20.  Only a few light showers occurred in
southern sections of west-central Texas.

Following a cold frontal passage on the 26th...much cooler air invaded the region.  The rain on
the 27th was accompanied by gusty north winds, with temperatures in the 40s across the Big
Country and Concho Valley.  For locations farther to the south and east, temperatures in the 50s
in the early morning dropped into the 40s during the afternoon and early evening.
  
Frost and a light freeze occurred on the early morning of the 29th...as a high pressure system
settled across the region and into central Texas.  This was the first freeze of the fall season
in west central Texas.  The combination of clear skies, dry air and light winds allowed
temperatures to dip into the 20s and 30s for lows across west-central Texas on the 29th. A light
freeze was recorded at most locations south of Interstate 20.  The river valleys and low-lying
areas recorded lows in the range of 25 to 28 degrees.  Across the Big Country, light south winds
developed overnight, and this helped to keep temperatures from dropping as much as places
farther south and east.  Most of the area north of Interstate 20 escaped a freeze, where low
temperatures were in the the 30s. 

Pleasant weather conditions occurred at the end of the month, with high pressure the main
influence.  Afternoon highs were mostly in the 70s on the 30th and 31st.

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