Intro - and Dalhart Weather Review for January 1, 2014

Greetings from Dalhart, Texas, a crossroads town in the upper left corner of the Texas panhandle. My name is Aaron Graves, former sports editor for the local newspaper and former morning DJ for the local radio station. I now own and operate a music store - Graves Guitar Studio and Music Store - with my wife and two daughters, where I teach a variety of instruments. In my spare time, I enjoy birding and storm chasing.

Well, cloud chasing to be exact. We don't get much of what could be called a storm around here. Besides, I'm not much of a traditional storm chaser anyways. I drive no more than 15 miles out of town for any thunderhead, and I have a phobia of getting hail dents in my Toyota.

Actually, I am a trained Skywarn spotter for the National Weather Service. I enjoy the power and beauty of nature - from a safe distance. Aside from that, my knowledge of weather and photography (and birds) is purely amateur. I do not speak as an expert in these fields by any means, just as an observer.

Until recently, I submitted a weekly article to the local newspaper reviewing Dalhart's weather, but the paper is now under new ownership, with new writers. Thus, I contribute the weather review to "The County Times Two", an all volunteer newsletter for Dallam and Hartley Counties, created and kept alive by Robin Scott - who also came from the local newspaper. In fact, "The County Times Two" has picked up several former newspaper employees. Hey, once you start writing, you can't stop. Must be the ink they use on that newsprint - it gets in your veins. 

If you would like to sign up for your FREE "The County Times Two" newsletter - delivered via email - contact Robin at thecountytimestwo@live.com. 

The purpose of this blog is to post - and sometimes expand on - my weekly weather article. Most of what I write will be in the newsletter. However, a blog is such a nice soapbox - if I ever need one to stand on. 

Happy reading. Here is the Dalhart weather review for this week:

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Blue skies try to melt remaining snow

Dalhart Weather Review

By Aaron Graves

Snow is still visible in Dalhart, hiding from the sun in the shade of tall buildings, fences, and along north-facing slopes at the lake. Our recent snowfall is creating hope, once again, that the drought might be losing strength. Is it?

Our snowy weather started back on Nov. 21. We picked up trace amounts of snow for a couple of days, then a good 3” on Nov. 24. Another round left a half inch on Dec. 5. Then came Dec. 21, which gave us 6” in a morning till late evening snowfall event. That is 9.5” in just over a month, which equaled 0.41” of actual moisture. 

Compared to the past four years, December 2013 is looking right on average, as the list below shows. Notice, though, that November 2013 was the wettest November in the past 4 years, with 0.85” of precipitation. In the list below, the first number is total snowfall, the second is total precipitation. 

Dec 2013: 6.5”, 0.21”

Dec 2012: 4.0”, 0.31”

Dec 2011: 8.3”, 0.93” 

Dec 2010: 6.0”, 0.25”

Nov 2013: 3.0”, 0.85”

Nov 2012: 0.0”, 0.0”

Nov 2011: 0.0”, 0.10”

Nov 2010: 0.0”, 0.0” 

Unfortunately, the U.S. Drought Monitor map, issued Dec. 24, shows the most extreme drought conditions continue to affect parts of Dallam and Hartley counties. The worst of the worst is found down near Channing. 

The Climate Prediction Center is calling for persistent drought conditions through the end of March 2014, in their latest report issued Dec. 19. Our precipitation chances through March are listed as “Equal Chances”, that is equal chances for above or below average rain and snow. Historically, January, February and March are not wet months for our area anyways. To break the drought, we are going to need above average precipitation. 

One thing we look for in hopes of above average rainfall in our area is an El Nino weather pattern. El Nino, which refers to warmer than average ocean temperatures in the Pacific, can shift weather patterns world-wide. However, NOAA does not expect an El Nino to develop through summer 2014, as revealed in a report issued Dec. 30. 

As for the rest of this work week, expect clear skies in Dalhart most days, with high temperatures near or above the 50 degree mark. Overnight lows will continue to dip near or below 20 degrees. There is talk of possible snow this weekend. Keep an eye on the forecast as we get closer to Friday.  

If you are interested in what the local weather looks like, as well as local wildlife, be sure to visit “Dalhart Cloud Chasing” on Facebook, or Aaron Graves (Dalhart Cloud Chasing) on Google+. 

To report weather events, including rain and snowfall totals, e-mail Aaron at thirtyguitars@yahoo.com.