Rainfall reports

The two flooding events in Texas in late October were record-setters, according to figures and rainfall analyses that go back to 1950. The Oct. 22-26 rainfall event was the wettest storm on record ever in Texas. The average two-day total across Texas was 2.42 inches, shattering the previous record of 2.14 inches set in December 1991, says John Nielsen-Gammon, professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University who also serves as the State Climatologist. He emphasizes these are overall averages for the state, noting that many localized areas received much higher totals. Over a five-day period, Texas received an average of 3.97 inches of rainfall, edging out the previous record of 3.82 inches set in December 1991. “Those two events far exceed all others since 1950,” Nielsen-Gammon explains. “The third-highest five-day total is a mere 3.31 in June 1961. “The combined total for both recent events was 5.32 inches for the 10-day period ending Oct. 31, 2015. This was also a record 10-day total, breaking the previous record of 4.68 inch set in April 1957.” He says these totals come on the heels of several springtime rainfall records. Last May, at 9.05 inches statewide, was the wettest single month on record going back to 1895, well above the previous record of 6.66 inches from June 2004, according to official data from the National Centers for Environmental Information.

To continue reading this article, purchase the print edition of The Pittsburg Gazette or go to our online e-edition at: http://www.etypeservices.com/Pittsburg%20GazetteID315/default.aspx