While 2003 will probably not go in the record books as an extreme weather year, there were events that made an impact.

Here are the top five weather events for 2003:

1. Continued drought

2. Grape Creek / San Angelo hail storm of June 1st

3. Haskell / Throckmorton hail storm of April 5th

4. Big Country sleet storm February 24th

5. Abilene / Ranger Tornadoes of May 15th

West Central Texas saw another year with below normal rainfall. Most areas have not experienced at least normal rainfall since 1993. The prolonged dry spell has kept most reservoirs at well below normal levels and several communities have had wells dry up. So while not attributed to any one weather event during 2003, the prolonged drought has impacted nearly all of West Central Texas. For this reason, the continued drought was recognized as the number one weather event of 2003.

The Grape Creek / San Angelo hail storm of June 1st caused the most property damage of any storms in West Central Texas in 2003. Hail the size of tennis balls and winds to 70 mph caused damage to numerous buildings, vehicles and vegetation. Fourteen million dollars of property damage was reported with this storm.

The Haskell / Throckmorton storm of April 5th produced softball size hail and 82 mph winds at Woodson. The hail stripped paint off buildings. Three injuries resulted from the storm.

The most significant winter storm occurred February 24th, spreading 1 to 3 inches of sleet across the Big Country. The icy conditions caused some property damage and five people suffered injuries directly related to the wintry weather.

The most significant tornado of 2003 produced F2 damage just north of Baird. The tornado destroyed oil storage tanks, several buildings and created a large swath through the trees. Damages of $250,000 were reported. Fortunately, there were no injuries.

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The National Weather Service in San Angelo would like to recognize our partners in the media, the Texas Department of Public Safety, SKYWARN volunteers, emergency managers, police and sheriff departments, volunteer observers and others that make it possible for us to provide West Central Texas with the best weather information possible.

We extend our best wishes to all for 2004. Hopefully, the new year will bring good rainfall and little severe weather to West Central Texas. As always, we must prepare for what ever mother nature brings our way.