Bryan-College Station Faces Drought as October Ends with No Rain
Hey there, Bryan-College Station! As we wrap up October, there’s some eye-catching news to share about our weather. For the first time in 13 years, our area went through an entire month without a single drop of rain! Can you believe it? According to the National Weather Service and the Texas A&M Southern Regional Climate Center, October 2024 is officially recorded as a dry month for us, making it the fifth month since the year 2000 with no rainy days. The last time we experienced something like this was way back in April 2011.
A Look at the Numbers
So, how’s our weather history looking? In October 2023, we enjoyed a much more refreshing month with nine days of rain. The previous year was no different, with five days of rainfall. In stark contrast, we saw a record-breaking 19 rainy days in October 2018, while just a couple of years prior, in October 2016, we only had two rainy days. It really highlights how unpredictable our weather can be!
Things have been pretty dry lately in our region. Back in September, we only had four days of rain, with the last rainfall being on September 25. That brings our current streak to a whopping 36 straight days without rain—the longest dry spell since May 2011! Make sure to keep your umbrellas handy just in case the weather decides to change.
A Broader Picture: Drought Status in Texas
Now, let’s zoom out a bit and look at the bigger picture across Texas. According to the latest Drought Monitor data, 91% of Texans are currently facing some sort of drought conditions. That’s a slight increase from the previous week. Yikes! The severe drought conditions have increased significantly as well, with nearly half of the state now in severe drought compared to just over a quarter last week. And right now, Brazos County is among those experiencing the harsh impacts of drought.
Interestingly, while some parts of Texas are desperately hoping for rain, a couple of areas have managed to see a bit of moisture. The areas near Brownsville and parts of the northwest Panhandle are the only places that have recorded at least an inch of rain since October 1. Can you believe it? Meanwhile, it seems Cameron and Willacy counties were the winners for the wettest October, raking in between 1.75 to 3.25 inches of rain.
Immediate Impact and Emergency Declarations
The dry weather has prompted Governor Greg Abbott to declare a state of emergency for 143 counties, including ours, due to the worsening drought conditions. The declaration initiated by County Judge Duane Peters has been extended to last until November 20, and there’s a possibility that we may have to extend it, especially if rain continues to dodge us in November.
Despite these dry spells, fear not! Thanks to a wet spring earlier this year, Bryan-College Station still sits above normal for annual rainfall. Through the end of October, we’ve recorded 39.94 inches of rain this year—about five inches above average! So while our recent weather might have been less than favorable, we’ve had our fair share of wet days this year. However, between August and October, our rainfall was notably low with just under one inch and only nine days of rain—compared to 15 days last year. That’s a significant dip!
Looking Ahead
Now for a glimmer of hope! Good news is potentially on the horizon as rain is in the forecast for this weekend. Perhaps we won’t have to witness a dry November like we’ve seen in the past. Last November brought us six days of rain; let’s hope this year follows suit, or maybe even breaks records like the historic November in 2000 with 19 days of rain.
Stay hopeful, everyone, as we keep an eye on the weather! Here’s to hoping our area gets the moisture it desperately needs!
