May 2015 Enters The Record Books; June Continues to Drown out the Drought

Storm near Dalhart on June 7.

Dalhart Weather Review
(Jun 2 - Jun 13)

by Aaron Graves

Dalhart recently endured the driest 42 months on record - a drought worse than the infamous Dust Bowl of the 1930's. Over the past month, however, said drought has literally been washed away thanks to the wettest May EVER!

For the continental United States, May 2015 has been declared the wettest May - in fact, the wettest month PERIOD - in 121 years of record keeping. This announcement was made by the National Centers for Environmental Information. Formerly known as the National Climatic Data Center, the NCEI is the keeper of all official weather and climate data for the U.S.

In addition, it was the wettest May for Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado, and ranked in the top 5 for Utah, Kansas, Wyoming, Arkansas, and South Dakota, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor dated June 9.

"With those statistics, it is not surprising that nearly all drought from late March has been eliminated in the Plains, Midwest, and central Gulf Coast," reads the Drought Monitor summary. The color-coded map declares 92.75% of Texas drought free. The remaining 7% of the state is considered abnormally dry. That includes parts of Dallam, Hartley, Sherman, Moore, Potter and Oldham counties. Hartley County has the dubious honor of being the worse off across the entire state. The eastern half of the county is considered in "moderate drought".

The storm that flooded US Hwy. 87 in Hartley

On the local level, rain has been frequent the first 13 days of June. Dalhart has recorded 0.52" of precipitation, according to the Amarillo office of the National Weather Service, bringing our annual precipitation total to 7.23".

Severe weather accompanied some of the storms, including reports of hail and flooding. Of note was the June 4 storm that flooded U.S. Hwy. 87 on the south side of Hartley. A report given to the National Weather Service in Amarillo said the water was "up to wheelwell of tractor trailers." Texaspivot.com rain totals near the city indicate the storm dumped up to five inches of rain. Elsewhere, half dollar size hail was reported in Kerrick and nickle size hail was reported east of Dalhart from the same storm system.

Rain was heavy in places as a fast moving line of severe weather rolled through on Sunday, June 7. A quick glance at Texaspivot.com showed most areas in the path of storm saw about 0.30". However, only 0.07" was recorded at the Dalhart airport.

On June 11, 0.05" of rain fell at the airport and penny size hail was reported four miles east of town. Storms on June 12 added another 0.32".

A NWS cooperative observer inside Dalhart reported 0.86". A CoCoRaHS volunteer northwest of town on South Sedan Road has reported six days of rain since June 1, totaling 0.69". Another volunteer in Texline also reported six days of precipitation, totaling 0.78".

Lightning east of Dalhart.

Looking at June rain totals on Texaspivot.com: about 0.75" of rain east of the Dalhart airport; 1" just south of Dalhart along Hwy. 87 and north of Dalhart near Hilmar Cheese; 7" just south of Hartley; 3.5" on the east side of Hartley; almost 1.25" north of Channing; 0.75" east of Texline and near Perico; 1.5" at Conlen; 1.75" near Romero.

High and low temps, and rain totals, since June 2

Jun 2: 90, 55
Jun 3: 95, 57
Jun 4: 94, 64
Jun 5: 88, 60
Jun 6: 87, 62, 0.05"
Jun 7: 88, 62, 0.07"
Jun 8: 85, 59
Jun 9: 91, 59
Jun 10: 91, 61
Jun 11: 95, 61, 0.05"
Jun 12: 71, 60, 0.32"
Jun 13: 83, 61

Texas Drought In Full Retreat

Dalhart Weather Review

(May 19 - June 1)
by Aaron Graves  

What a May! Over the last two weeks, Dalhart has seen

seven days with measurable rainfall, ending the month with 2.02" of rain. Since January 1, we have seen 6.74" of precipitation, which puts us 1.26" above our normal rainfall as of June 1. 
Rain was widespread over the entire Texas panhandle, with reports of flooding (and tornadoes) in places.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor, dated June 2, shows the

Texas drought in full retreat. Most of the state is drought free, with only five localized areas considered "abnormally dry". The only hold out is Dallam, Hartley, Sherman and Moore counties, which are considered in "moderate drought". Still, that is a huge improvement since the end of April. The last time Dallam and Hartley counties were ranked below "severe" drought was back in March of 2011.

Heavy rains and historic flooding helped bring drought relief

to large areas of Texas and Oklahoma. The last time any part of Texas was ranked below "severe" drought was back in June of 2010, according to the NWS office in Midland, TX.

Lake levels have improved. Over 9.1 billion gallons of water were added to lake reservoirs just in the Texas Panhandle, according to the NWS office in Amarillo. Lake

Meredith is up to 50.4 feet, which is 10% full. That's up 5 feet since the end of April.
Summer is approaching and we are going to feel it this week as daytime temperatures are going to get up into the 90 degree range. Our next chance of rain is forecast for Sunday.
 
The first two weeks of June are typically the peak of our severe weather season, so keep an eye on the forecast. Storms on June 1 dropped golf ball sized hail about three miles east southeast of town.
 
High and low temps, and rain totals, the past two weeks

May 19: 72, 45, 0.53"
May 20: 56, 42
May 21: 56, 45, 0.29"
May 22: 70, 48, 0.03"
May 23: 70, 54, 0.33"
May 24: 76, 52
May 25: 75, 47
May 26: 79, 51
May 27: 84, 55, 0.02"
May 28: 80, 56, 0.03"
May 29: 77, 53
May 30: 70, 52
May 31: 83, 48
Jun 1: 87, 58, 0.03"