Septmeber 2000 was characterized by more extremes in weather than normal for September, beginning with record high temperatures, then followed by unseasonably cool conditions late in the month. The month brought ALL-TIME highs of Climate Record and ALL-TIME September Highs to Austin Mabry, Austin Bergstrom International Airport and San Antonio International Airport, plus an ALL-TIME September High for Del Rio. In wake of the 2nd cool front of the month, conditions moderated toward the Mid part of the month, sometimes to even slightly below the climate averages. A strong cold front moved through the area late in the day of the 24th, bringing unseasonably cool weather the night of the 24th through the 27th. The ALL-TIME September Low of 45 at Austin Bergstrom International Airport was tied September 27, 2000, previously reached September 23, 1999 and September 29. 1967. Overall September 2000 was drier and warmer than normal. Early on in the month, it was easily the hottest September of record for Austin, Del Rio and San Antonio, then the average temperature fell rapidly in wake of cool fronts in Mid to Late September. The ranking for how September 2000 compares to the warmest Septembers of record follows: Austin/Mabry tied for the 14th warmest with September 1865 and 1997; Austin/Bergstrom 20th warmest September; Del Rio 7th warmest September; and San Antonio 19th warmest September. The summer 2000 subtropical high that was so strong over Central and South Central Texas from late June into early September, finally began to weaken and break down somewhat, yet not completely, as Mid to Late September arrived.

The 1st 5 days of September 2000 were definitely extreme temperatures not only for early September, also for any summer 5 day period. The average high and low for this 5 day period follows: Austin Mabry 108.8 and 78.2; Austin Bergstrom 108.2 and 72.0; Del Rio 106.2 and 76.4; and San Antonio 106.0 and 76.6.

On September 5th...2000...for the second day in a row...New All-Time Record Highs for Austin and San Antonio were established. At 208 pm the high reached 112 at Austin Mabry. At Austin Bergstrom International Airport the high reached 112 at 220 pm, and 341 pm. At San Antonio International Airport the high reached 111 at 345 pm. At Del Rio International Airport the high was 109 at 459 pm, 540 pm, and 640 pm, a daily maximum that was 3 degrees lower than the All Time High for Del Rio of 112, set June 9...1988.

Late in the day of the 5th and early morning hours of the 6th, a modified cool front moved across the area from the northeast, moderating daytime highs around 10 degrees at Austin and San Antonio. Further west, the slightly cooler air did not arrive until late in the day of the 6th. It was not early enough to keep Del Rio from breaking its All-Time September High OF 110, that occurred at 500 pm. For more detail on these extreme temperatures for early September...See Early September 2000 Summary of South Central Texas Weather.

Although afternoon highs fell into the 90s across the eastern part of the area the 7th, and over all parts of Central and South Central Texas the 8th and 9th, they returned to the near and above the century mark again the 10th. This trend continued through the 12th, ahead of a cool front that helped bring scattered showers and thunderstorms to the area from late in the afternoon of the 12th to the early morning hours of the 13th. With these spotty rains Austin Mabry picked up 0.63 inches; Austin Bergstrom International Airport a Trace; San Antonio 0.32 inches; and Del Rio 1.08 inches.

On Thursday the 14th, a weather system moved across the area from the east, bringing another round of showers and thunderstorms to the area. From this rain event Austin Mabry picked up 0.50 inches; Austin Bergstrom International Airport a Trace; San Antonio 1.24 inches; and Del Rio 0.02 inches.

Late Friday the 15th and into the early morning hours of the 16th, a stronger cool front swept through the area, causing temperatures to fall markedly relative to their early September of 2000 extremes. Daytime highs and overnight lows adjusted to more seasonable levels through the 18th, before beginning to warmup again during the day of the 19th. At Austin Bergstrom International Airport the lows of 50 the 17th and 48 the 18th, were record daily lows for these respective calendar days. The 48 low the 18th was 64 degrees below the All-Time high of 112 the 5th. The lowest at Austin Mabry of 56 the 18th was 56 degrees below the record high of 112 the 5th. The low at San Antonio of 55 the 18th was also 56 degrees below the record high of 111 the 5th. At Del Rio the coolest was 63 on the 18th, 47 degrees below the record September high of 110 the 6th.

On the 19th and 20th, daytime highs and nightime lows warmed up again, then moderated on the 21st ahead of and along a weak cool front that moved into parts of the Texas Hill Country in the day, then stalled and moved back north as a warm front the night of the 21st. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of and near the frontal system, mainly over the eastern part of the area. Moisture was also deeper over the eastern part of South Central Texas, from the effects of Tropical Storm Helen in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Austin Mabry had 0.19 inches of rain, and Austin Bergstrom International Airport had 0.33 inches of rain. A Trace of rain was observed at San Antonio International Airport.

In the predawn hours of the 22nd, warm maritme tropical air was well in place across the area. Afternoon highs climbed into the 90s. On Saturday the 23rd, warmer conditions followed. Early morning lows were mostly in the mid 70s to near 80. Afternoon highs climbed in the upper 90s to near 100. The 101 high at Austin Bergstrom and 100 at Austin Mabry was a record high for the 23rd. The 99 high at San Antonio tied the daily record of 99 previously set Sep. 23, 1920. New Braunfels had a high of 101, while Del Rio and Hondo both showed highs at 100.

On Sunday the 24th, after the day warmed up, it cooled down quickly along and after a cold front swept through the area late in the afternoon and Sunday night. The upper air disturbance associated with this cold front kicked off numerous showers and thunderstorms ahead of, along and just after frontal passage. At 435 pm cdt, thunderstorms produced a 61 mph wind gust at the Del Rio International Airport. Highs winds from thunderstorms in the late afternoon and early evening caused tree damaage in Brackettville; tree damage and damage to a roof of the main school office in La Pryor; utility pole damage in Batesville; and damage to a pavillion in Crystal City. As the showers and thunderstorms moved east, more widespread rains fell along with gusty winds and continued lightning. Winds gusted to 37 mph at the San Antonio International Airport and 33 mph at Austin Bergstrom International Airport with the thunderstorms. Rainfall was 1.09 inches at San Antonio International Airport; 0.22 inches at Del Rio International Airport; 0.44 inches at Austin Bergstrom International Airport; and 0.42 inches at Austin Mabry. Over 3 inches of rain fell in parts of Edwards and Real County, where Rocksprings had 3.69 inches; Leakey 3.80 inches; and Camp Wood 3.30 inches. Further east, near and over 2 inches of rain fell in parts of the northern hill country to parts Williamson County. Lake Georgetown had 2.20 inches; 18 miles south of Llano 2.10 inches; Jarrell 2.00 inches and Granger 2.06 inches.

On Monday the 25th, sunny skies, windy and cooler weather swept across the area. Daytime highs were 20 to 30 degrees below the unseasonably warm highs observed the weekend of the 23rd and 24th. Clear and unseasonably cool conditions followed Monday night, with a record daily low of 47 at Austin Bergstrom International Airport Tuesday morning September 26th. Lows at other sites were as follows: Austin Mabry 49, San Antonio 48, Del Rio 49, New Braunfels 45 and Junction 40. Some areas in the hill country observed lows Tuesday morning the 26th in the upper 30s. Under sunny skies, afternoon highs Tuesday were in the 70s. On Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning of the 27th, the low at Austin Bergstrom International Airport was 45, tying the ALL-TIME record September low of 45 also set September 23, 1999 and September 29, 1967. The 45 low at Austin Bergstrom International Airport the 27th came just 22 days after setting an ALL-TIME record high of 112 September 5th. Lows at other locations on the 27th included the following; Austin Mabry 51, San Antonio 48, Del Rio 55, New Braunfels 47 and Junction 43. On the 28th through the 30th, dry and sunny early Autumn weather condtinued across parts of Central and South Central Texas.

Overall September 2000 was drier and warmer than normal. For Del Rio, September 2000 was the 7th warmest of record for Del Rio. Earlier in the month, September 2000 was by far the warmest of record for Austin, Del Rio and San Antonio, then cooler weather followed in the Mid to Late part of the month and pulled the averages down considerably. As a result, September 2000 no longer was in the top 10 warmest for Austin or San Antonio. The ranking for how September 2000 compares to the warmest Septembers of record follows: Austin/Mabry tied for the 14th warmest with September 1865 and 1997; Austin/Bergstrom 20th warmest September; Del Rio 7th warmest September; and San Antonio 19th warmest September.

To see a list of daily records for September, including the ones broken in September 2000... See Austin/Bergstrom September Records... See Austin/Mabry September Records... See Del Rio September Records... See San Antonio September Records...