Climate Summary for February 2015

The background map in Figure 1 shows the geographic regions of west-central Texas, which are referenced in this monthly weather summary. 

Figure 1:  Geographic Regions of West-Central Texas.

With the exception of a small part of the Big Country near and east of Abilene, precipitation for February was below normal across nearly all of west-central Texas (Figure 2).  For much of the central and southern parts of west-central Texas, the monthly precipitation was well-below normal.  Total precipitation for the month (not shown) was less than one half inch, corresponding to the red shaded area in Figure 2, where monthly precipitation was less than 25 percent normal.

Figure 2: Percent of normal precipitation for February. 

Temperatures averaged below normal for the month. Table 1 (below) summarizes February 2015 temperature, precipitation, and departure from normal for Abilene and San Angelo.

Table 1: February Climate Data for Abilene and San Angelo.

Temperatures were seasonably cool during the first few days of the month.  A little light rain occurred early on the 4th, as an upper level disturbance approached South Texas from Mexico.  Also on the early morning of the 4th, patchy fog (locally dense) occurred across western parts of the area , including at Sweetwater, Ozona and Sonora.  

Daytime temperatures were unseasonably warm on February 8-10, when an upper level high pressure system over the southwestern U.S. gradually shifted east into Texas.  Highs were generally in the upper 70s to lower 80s. 

Some light rain occurred in southwestern parts of west-central Texas on the 12th. With the exception of parts of Crockett County, rainfall amounts were less than one tenth of an inch.  This was in association with a weak upper level disturbance over northern Mexico.

Pleasant and spring-like daytime temperatures occurred on the February 13-15.  A few light rain showers occurred on the 15th.

A strong cold front advanced south across west-central Texas during the overnight hours of the 15th and 16th.  Much colder air invaded the area, and some winter precipitation occurred. Some sleet and freezing rain occurred in Haskell and Throckmorton Counties as temperatures dropped below freezing, with lightning and thunder.  A few bands of snow brought minor accumulations during the post-Midnight and early morning hours of the 17th.  Snowfall amounts were around 1 inch in the San Angelo area, and less than an inch elsewhere.  The snow melted quickly during the day however, as temperatures climbed through the 40s with warm ground conditions. 

A strong warming trend followed February 18-20 with south winds across the area.  Highs on the 20th mostly ranged from the mid 70s to lower 80s. 

The last week of February was rather unsettled with two significant winter weather events.  Much colder air invaded west-central Texas, following a strong cold frontal passage on the 22nd. Upper level disturbances entered Texas and interacted with the cold air.  With this pattern, freezing rain and sleet occurred on the 22nd and 23rd, with temperatures mostly in the 20s.  This resulted in icy roads and very hazardous travel conditions.  Patchy light snow occurred during the overnight hours of the 23rd and 24th, mainly across the northeastern part of west-central Texas.  A mix of sleet and rain occurred in Crockett County. 

Temperatures remained cold on the 24th, followed by a brief warmup with highs in the 60s on the 25th.  

Much colder air followed passage of another strong cold front, on the 26th.  Upper level disturbances brought winter precipitation to west-central Texas on the 27th and 27th.  The Big Country area (along/north of Interstate 20) received 1-3 inches of snowfall on the 26th, and 2-4 inches of snow on the 27th.  Less than an inch of snow occurred farther south in the northern Concho Valley.  Roads were snow-covered across the Big Country.  Freezing drizzle occurred during the overnight hours of the 26th and 27th, and continued into the morning of the March 1st.  With temperatures below freezing during much of this time across most of west-central Texas, roads were icy and travel was very hazardous.  Numerous accidents were reported.