Since the late 19th century, New Year's Day has provided a variety of weather to the Rio Grande Valley of Deep South Texas. However, unlike the noted Christmas Eve and Christmas Day freezes and winter precipitation, records show that New Year's Day has been a bit more benign. In addition to the data shown below, there was no measured snowfall on the ground on any January 1st. In fact, only one long duration freeze can be inferred from the data, extending through New Year's Eve (1880) and into the New Year's morning (1881). The high in 1881 zoomed to 48 degrees; in 1900, the high on December 31st was 60 degrees before a 40 degree plunge that night. On the flip side, record highs have been rather springlike, with readings ranging from the lower 80s near the coast to the lower 90s well inland, at Rio Grande City. Precipitation averages notwithstanding, heavier rainfall has generally been an inch or less on New Year's Day, with the sole exception being McAllen in 1988, when more than an inch and a half of rain fell. After a series of mild to warm New Year's Eves, 2013 began a three year streak of rather chilly weather for the turn of the calendar. The final days of the year were marked by widespread, locally heavy rainfall on the 30th, followed by light to moderate rain and some of the coldest weather in more than a decade for New Year's Eve; temperatures failed to break 50° across the region. Combined with stiff north winds at 10 to 20 mph, readings in the mid 40s felt more like the upper 30s through the day and into the evening, putting a damper on outdoor festivities. New Year’s Day fared about the same, with temperatures holding in the lower to mid 50s and a misty rain and fog hanging tough. 2015 was even worse, temperature wise. A New Year's Eve light rain combined with stiff northerly winds and temperatures in the lower 40s to make it feel more like the upper 30s for outdoor celebrations; New Year's Day wasn't any better, as temperatures held in the mid 40s and feels like temperatures held near 40 with periodic drizzle. 2016 was almost a carbon copy of 2015, with temperatures on New Year's Eve in the upper 40s to lower 50s, followed by a raw and chilly New Year's Day 2016. So, how will the last day of 2016 and the first day of 2017 shape up? As of this writing, we "flip the script" and return the Christmas Day warmth to New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Evening temperatures will likely hold in the low to mid 70s for most on the 31st, and New Year's Day should see 80s for all but the beaches, which will still be quite a bit more pleasant than the 2013-2016 period with highs likely in the 70s. Stay tuned! Bottom line? Ditch the heavy clothing and keep the spring/summer gear (shorts, t-shirts, flip flops) close by!
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