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December was certainly an extreme month, with the Dec 1-4 period VERY warm. A toasty high of 83 was reached on the 3rd, with a low of 67, combined 19 degrees above normal. On Dec 4, the high reached 78, making this December looking like its just going to be downright warm, however things were about to change. A day after that high of 78, we only reached 58, marking the beginning of the big chill.
December 5-11 was the coldest period we've had in a LONG time. On Dec 5th, the first arctic front moved through, dropping highs in the 50's, and dropping lows down to freezing. 32 degrees was reached at IAH on the morning of Dec 6th, making it the first official freeze at IAH for the winter of 05-06. On the 8th, the second, and MUCH stronger, arctic front moved through SE TX very early in the morning. This arctic front contained very cold air, however, it was shallow, allowing freezing rain with temps in the 20's across portions of northern and central TX, creating a significant icing event for Austin and Dallas. Even parts of northern SE TX, including Huntsville and College Station, reported freezing rain. The shallow cold air was very slow moving, allowing all the precip and moisture to move out of the Houston area, before the arctic air entered into our region, and any type of frozen precip could fall. Low temps across the region occured during the mid-morning hours on the 8th, with 31 reported at IAH (second freeze for the winter), with temps slowly creeping up the rest of the day. Despite the sun finally being able to break through the clouds in some areas, the high for the day was only 37!!! :shock: On the night of the 8th, and the morning of the 9th, there was a potential for there to be a hard freeze across almost all of SE TX, including the Houston area. Fortunately, clouds moved in, and kept temps just above freezing, with a low of 33 reported at IAH, and a high of 48 on the 9th.
Departures from average:
Dec 6: 10 degrees below normal
Dec 7: 10 degrees below normal
Dec 8: 21 degrees below normal
Dec 9: 14 degrees below normal
Dec 10: 8 degrees below normal
By the time Dec 10 rolled around, the cold shallow arctic air had pretty much modified and left the region, with temps rebounding to the 50's and 60's the next couple of days.
After the big chill, Dec 11-14th, saw near seasonable temps, a welcome relief from the cold we just experienced. However, right when we thought we'd see some warmer weather, more cold and dreary days lay ahead for SE TX.
Much needed rainfall fell on the 14th across SE TX, as ingrediants FINALLY came together for significant rainfall. A record amount of 5.64 inches fell at IAH on the 14th. A tornado watch was issued for Houston, there was even a report of a weak tornado in the Atascosita area.
Dec 15-22 were below normal, although not as cold as Dec 5 - 11. Clouds and shots of cool air kept daytime highs very cool and below normal, but overnight lows up a bit, but still just below normal. Highs were mainly in the 40's and 50's under cloudy skies, with lows in the upper 30's, a few days even had a bit of rain. Coolest days were Dec 17th {48}, and the 20th(49). Some sleet was even reported across the Houston area on the 17th, with temps in the 40's. Pretty cool sight to see for those who got to see it. I didn't.
Finally on the 23rd a much more warmer, and progressive pattern began to surface, finally giving us a bit of relief from the cool, dreary weather, and many warm and sunny days. Unfortunatly, just in time for Christmas. The past 8 years, Christmas has been at or below normal. This year broke that streak, with December 25th recieving a high of 69, and a low of 44, a total of 5 degrees above normal for Christmas. Not too bad at all, but it would have been nice to be just a bit cooler. Highs from the 23rd and on were mainly in the 70's, even reaching close to 80 on the 27th. Due to the progressive pattern, numerous weak pacific cool fronts have been giving the area breif shots of dry air, allowing nighttime temps to drop significantly (though a few nights were stuck in the 50's), just to have daytime temps soar into the 70's, very spring-like!
When will we get a relief from the warm weather? It looks as though the first few days of 2006 will continue to be unseasonably warm, however, there looks to finally be a chance of more winter like temps to make a return to the area late next week, as both the Euro and the GFS have been hinting at a return of the +PNA ridge to the west, and a trough digging into the east. This could result in much cooler weather late next week. Nothing too terribly cold, just a nice return to winter. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be any significant chances for rain for the Houston area, and for the rest of Texas for that matter. Parts of northern Texas could really use some rain right now. The fire danger is very high right now, I heard it hasn't been this dry for North Texas since the 1950's!
In conclusion, December 2005 gave a little bit of everything to everybody. I don't think there is one person who didn't get something they liked out of this December (well, except it didn't snow, but in some places, it did sleet). If you like warm weather, like I do, you got it, if you like really cold weather, you got it. It looks as though we'll close out this month slightly below normal to near normal, with precip above normal. However, thats a bit decieving, as you really have to look at this December day by day to really see what it had to offer.
(According to IAH climate info)
# of days with highs in the 80's: 1
# of days with highs in the 70's: 11
# of days with highs in the 60's: 6
# of days with highs in the 50's: 9
# of days with highs in the 40's: 3
# of days with highs in the 30's: 1
# of days with lows in the 60's: 1
# of days with lows in the 50's: 4
# of days with lows in the 40's: 10
# of days with lows in the 30's: 16
# of days with lows in the 20's: none (but we came close)
# of days with a low of 32 or below: only 2
Total Precip: 6.37 inches +2.68 above normal*
*the total precip for this month pretty much came all on one day, 5.64 inches on the 14th.
I hope you enjoyed this December's weather, I know I sure did!
