2016 Weather Texas outlook

[Matt@atx]

Happy New Year to everyone. What a nice new site but I will definitely need to figure out how to navigate in it.
I was wondering what you are hearing about the predicted weather and rain for this season in Central and South Texas. Keeping an eye out for a late Feb freeze like last year and praying for some good rain like last year.
I heard rumors late last year that we should have a lot of rain from El Nino this year. Hoping this is true but who can ever know.

[Forum Admin]

Long term predictions showed a cool, wet fall and winter, but that hasn't exactly played out; Texas has been dryish.

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/p ... rchill.php

But other maps show more rainfall in TX than it seems like: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/crp/?n=monthlyrainfall

Wet winters are good for plenty of plants, flowers, and insects come spring, at least in the south.

[Matt@atx]

Thanks for the information. Sure hope we get more rain then what the maps imply and from what we are doing presently.

[eyeamtheman]

The long range forecast....(at least the next 3 weeks) doesn't look too bad. Nothing compared to last late February/early March. A few borderline days here and there but certainly not the disaster from last year that took its toll on hundreds of martins across the upper half of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Of course, the forecast could always change, and it wouldn't surprise me. Any 3 days in a row of 50 degree temperatures or less, and they will be in trouble.

[Vern1]

Looking good so far!!!
Moreso when compared to last year!

For the first time in many years, I'm not quite ready.
Have all gourds hung but need to put in fresh pine needles and raise the racks.
Gotta get on the ball as they showed up on Feb 9th last year and I don't want to discourage any early arrivals!

[Siberman]

We got 20" in December .

January was fairly dry . Really warm last week ( highs in the 80s ) but it's cooled off quite a bit . Predicted lows for the next 2 weeks are upper 20s to mid-30s .

Keeping my fingers crossed .

[Louise Chambers]

I would like to see more rain here, it's just been drier than I expected from forecasts - good rains mean wonderful wildflowers and plenty of insects

[Matt@atx]

Thank you all for the replies. It is good to see ya Vern. I am with you Louise on the weather.
It seems dryer then the forecast we been hearing since last Spring/summer. The rain is life for the Martins as well as everything else. Watching those Feb temps too eyeamtheman. hoping the birds don't show up until later like last year.
Hey Siberman, good to see you again friend. Your saying you received 20 inches of rain in your area last December?

[Siberman]

Yes sir . At least 20" of rain this past December . Probably more as my gauge is only 5 " and I dumped it (completely full) several times .
Lord willing , it's going to be bug city this summer .

[Matt@atx]

I'm sorry to answer you back so late Siberman. For some reason, I do not get notified on post replies like we used to.(?) That's great news. 20" sets up your area with good saturation and moisture for a time. I think we got 0 to 1" in December~ hahaha..
We did just get a nice rain fall last night past midnight through early morning.
Think that front extended as far south as Eagle Pass approximately and extended north into Oklahoma. Sure hope The Lord will give kind ear to any prayers and send us more.