San Angelo Streak of Consecutive
Dry Days Comes to an End

 

Drought MonitorWest Central Texas is no stranger to long periods of dry weather.  Over the years, we have grown accustomed to these dry periods while we wait patiently for those rainy days to come. Drought conditions are not unusual and this year has been no different. After some improvement during the spring and fall months, moderate to exceptional drought conditions are again posted for much of West Central Texas.  See the latest drought monitor to the right.

 Consecutive Dry Days

San Angelo was lucky to receive 6.91" of rain in September, with most of that occurring in one rain event.  However, since that time, rain has been very scarce across the Concho Valley, with only one day of measurable rainfall (officially) at Mathis Field in San Angelo in October and none in November. The rainfall occurred on October 13 when 0.48" of rain was measured in the official rain gauge.  Finally, on December 14, San Angelo received a second day of measurable rainfall, bringing to an end a streak of 61 consecutive days of "non-measurable" precipitation. There were a few trace events (less than 0.01") but from a climatology standpoint, they are counted as non-rain days. This streak of 61 days ranks at #6 on the list of consecutive dry days for San Angelo (full climatological records go back to 1947).  The top 10 on this list are found below.

 

Rank Days End Date
1 116 2/10/1967
2 100 1/28/1951
3 74 12/29/1970
4 65 12/3/1988
5 63 4/14/1972
6 61 12/23/2010
  61 12/13/2012
8 59 9/22/2000
  59 5/25/1998
  59 1/28/1969

 

 

San Angelo rainfall
San Angelo rainfall comparison and local lake levels.

San Angelo has received 21.80" of rain for the year (through 12/14/12) which is 1.08" above the normal pace.  The annual average is 21.25" so we are assured of an above normal rainfall year for San Angelo, despite the very dry weather to close out the year.  San Angelo has actually been above normal for most of the year due to a wet late winter period and heavy rainfall events in May and September.


Abilene Rainfall
Abilene rainfall comparison and local lake levels.
Abilene has fared slightly better, with 5 days of measurable precipitation since October 1.  However, these 5 days only accounted for 1.02" of rain.  This has resulted in Abilene falling below the pace for of the annual normal precipitation.  As of this date (12/14/12), Abilene has totaled 23.16" of rain for the year, which is 0.99" below normal.  Abilene is only at 21 consecutive days of no measurable precipitation, which doesn't rank in the top 100 dry periods.

  

Lake Levels

Thanks, in large part, to the abundance of rain in late September, lake levels are still at a manageable level.  Many of the lakes south of Interstate 20 are in better shape than they were a year ago.  Most of the lake level increases occurred in September due to the excessive run-off and flooding.  Farther north, rainfall amounts have not been as generous with extreme drought conditions continuing over the northern Big Country.  Lake levels in this part of the state are just slightly lower than in December 2011.  Move your mouse over the thumbnails below for larger versions of the lake level images.

 

O.H. Ivie Reservoir Twin Buttes Reservoir E.V. Spence Reservoir Lake Fort Phantom Hill
O.H. Ivie Twin Buttes E.V. Spence Lake Fort Phantom Hill
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