 |
|||
|
|||
|
This spring ended up as one of the wettest on record across Central Texas. Through early June, year-to-date rainfall averaged between 8 and 12 inches above normal. But spring has faded and summer is now upon us. Typically, the summer months bring the hottest and some of the driest weather of the year. But thanks in part to this year’s unusually wet spring, summer 2007 shouldn’t be quite as hot and dry as most summers. In fact, as far as summers go, this year’s may actually be somewhat tolerable. Summer weather across Texas is often controlled by a large ridge of high pressure in the upper atmosphere that develops in June and stays in place well into September. The ridge keeps weather systems away from the state while at the same time causes the temperatures to rise. But this year looks to be different. The combination of wet soils across Texas and a change in the position of the jet stream will cause the ridge to set up more to the west, north and south of Texas. This pattern will cause unusually hot temperatures across much of the nation while keeping Texas just on the “edge” of the frying pan. Overall, temperatures across Central Texas should average near to just slightly above normal, with far fewer 100-degree days than we’ve seen for the past couple of summers. Without the ridge parked over Texas, more scattered rains should develop, especially during late summer. Overall, rainfall will average near normal, but without the ridge of high pressure over Texas, winds off the Gulf of Mexico can often bring disturbances north from the gulf, resulting in periods of moderate to heavy rain. Meanwhile, atmospheric and oceanic parameters all point to a very active Atlantic hurricane season this summer, with a higher than normal number of storms forecast. Steering currents around the ridge of high pressure, this year located more to our east, will tend to direct potential storms toward the western gulf. As a result, the Texas coastline will have a higher than normal chance for tropical storms and hurricanes. There’s no doubt about it; summers in Texas are tough. But this year should be a little different, with more frequent rains and fewer days with scorching temperatures. |
Bob Rose,
Central Texans continue to enjoy
|
