Winter 2011-2012: Drought-Stricken Texas, Southwest Stay Parched
"Mild and dry" will unfortunately be the mantra this winter for much of Texas and the Southwest, a region that desperately needs rain.
Texas continues to suffer through the worst drought in its history, with 100 percent of the state experiencing drought conditions and nearly 86 percent in an exceptional drought, the most severe category.
Precipitation is expected to remain below normal in southern and western Texas and the interior Southwest this season. "The interior Southwest will be the driest area of the country through winter," Pastelok said.
Northern and eastern Texas, however, could fair a bit better with higher chances for precipitation as cold fronts "make it there with ease", according to Pastelok. The downside to these higher precipitation chances, however, will be the risk of ice events, especially from late December into January.
Snow and ice events are also possible in areas in and around the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, as is fairly typical during a winter season.
Full AccuWeather.com Winter 2011-2012 Forecast
Full Winter Forecast for the West (map includes Arizona)
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 100° | Smyrna, TN |
| Low | 15° | Sunset Crater, AZ |
| Precip | 3.99" | Wadena, MN |
WeatherWhys®
Hail is much more common during the months of May and June compared to July and August. The main reason is the fact that the freezing level is usually higher during July and August as pockets of cold air in the upper atmosphere are less common as the jet stream weakens and retreats farther north.
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