August, usually known as the “dog days of summer” where triple-digit temperatures are often the norm, has a new distinction in 2016 thanks to a wet month that ties with the wettest August on record from 1914.
The state climatologist office at Texas A&M University reported preliminary figures show August averages about 5.69 inches of rain statewide tying with the 1914 wettest August on record.
John Nielsen-Gammon, professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M who also serves as state climatologist, says the wet month was due to an atmospheric wind pattern that pumped lots of deep, moist tropical air into Texas.
The wet months could continue for a while, he notes.
“September and October are historically among the wettest months of the year in Texas, so if normal conditions continue, we will see several more inches of rain,” he explains.
“If a tropical storm or hurricane stalls over Texas – September is the peak month for such storms – then we would be at risk for serious flooding since most of the ground is already saturated.”
Texas has also had the wettest 24-month consecutive period in the state’s history, Nielsen-Gammon says.
The state has averaged 75.25 inches of rain over the past two years, breaking the previous record of 74.85 set in 1942.
In Montague County, Bowie and Nocona both recorded rainfall of about three inches during August.

Read more about the weather conditions and local rain reports in your mid-week News.

Top Photo: September could be as wet at August as the new month opened with more than two inches of rain in Bowie Thursday night. Folks at the junior varsity football game endured the downpour as the game went forward. (Photo by Eric Viccaro)