September 2011 Weather Highlights for West-Central Texas

...Warmer and drier than normal conditions prevailed across West Central Texas in September...

Temperatures averaged above normal again in September...and to a greater extent at San Angelo than Abilene. Precipitation for the month was well-below normal across most of west central Texas...with scattered pockets of near to slightly above normal.  The monthly amounts across west central exas ranged from 2-4 inches on the highest end, to less than one half inch on the lowest end.

At Abilene Regional Airport, the average temperature for September was 77.3 degrees.This was 1.8 degrees above the normal average temperature of 75.5 degrees. Total Precipitation for September was only 0.24 nches. This was 2.00 inches below the monthly Normal of 2.24 inches.

 At San Angelo Regional Airport, the average temperature for September was 79.2 degrees. This was 3.6 degrees above the normal average temperature of 75.6 degrees. Total precipitation for September was 0.43 inches. This was 2.03 inches below the monthly normal of 2.46 inches.

The number of days where high temperatures reached 100 degrees or more include 7 at San Angelo...3 at Abilene...and 6 at Junction.

September 2011 Weather Highlights...

A change to cooler temperatures occurred over the Labor Day weekend early in the month, when a strong cold front for early September) pushed south across the region on the 4th. Gusty north winds followed passage of the cold front...and a peak wind gust of 40 mph was recorded in Abilene on the 4th. High temperatures on the 4th were in the mid to upper 80s behind the front, across the Big Country and northern Concho Valley. Highs were in the 80s areawide on the 5th. As a ridge of high pressure settled into the area from the north, the combination of clear skies, dry air and light winds allowed temperatures to dip into the 40s for lows on early morning of the 6th. Abilene and San Angelo both recorded new record low temperatures on the 6th. In addition...a record low temperature occurred in San Angelo on the 7th. Scattered showers and thunderstorms occurred on the 18th with the approach and arrival of a weak cold front and an upper level disturbance.  On the 21st, scattered showers and thunderstorms occurred with the arrival of a stronger cold front. Most of these occurred across the far northern Big Country, and across the region south of Interstate 20.  

Temperatures were well-above normal on the 12th to 14th, due to the influence of an upper level high pressure system. High temperatures during this time were around 100 degrees.  Record high temperatures were tied at Abilene and San Angelo on the 13th. Record warm minimum temperatures were tied at San Angelo on the 13th through 15th...and a new record warm minimum temperature was set at Abilene on the 14th.

A cold front moved south into west central Texas on the 14th.  Scattered showers and thunderstorms occurred along and behind the cold front. Temperatures were confined to the 70s for highs across the Big Country on the 15th.  

Scattered showers and thunderstorms occurred on the 18th with the approach and arrival of a weak cold front and an upper level disturbance. On the 21st, scattered showers and thunderstorms occurred with the arrival of a stronger cold front. Most of these occurred across the far northern Big Country, and across the region south of Interstate 20.

Very hot afternoon temperatures occurred in late September, from from the 24th through 29th, with high temperatures mostly in the range of 95 to 105 degrees. At Abilene, record high temperatures were tied on the 24th and 29th.  At At San Angelo, a record high temperature was tied on the 27th.

Widely scattered showers and thunderstorms occurred on the 29th and 30th, as a cold front pushed south into west central Texas.  Temperatures were cooler on the 30th with highs 80-85 degrees. 

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