Area receives abundant rainfall

The skies finally opened up this past week with the area receiving some much needed rain and gave Hallettsville and Lavaca County residents a welcome sight.

According to local National Weather Service observer Larry Rothbauer, Hallettsville received officially 5.52 inches during the week, which brought the yearly total to near average of 15.04 for this time of the year.

The nice rain event was very much welcomed as lawns and fields received soaking water and the stock tanks were able to fill to capacity.

The rains began on Monday, evening, June 9, when a thunderstorm passed through the northern half of Lavaca County and was accompanied by a multiple series of cloud to ground lightning strikes.

In regards to that rain, the Breslau area reported getting unofficially two inches of rain, while others said they got around a half of inch.

Those residing in the southern half of Lavaca County said they did not receive any rain.

In the pre-dawn hours on Wednesday morning, June 11, a large storm moving from northwest to southeast brought slightly over one inch to some, while others may have gotten under a half inch.

The biggest rain event took place early the next morning, Thursday, June 12, when thunderstorms moved into the area from the west bringing a widespread amount of rain to over three inches. Officially 2.36 inches fell during the storms.

The Thursday rain was caused by a combination of factors that included a trough of low pressure, a weak cold front, and Gulf moisture.

These factors created an environment that produced multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms.

San Antonio meteorologists reported getting six inches, which brought about flash flood warnings and 13 people were confirmed dead due to the flooding.

Nearby New Braunfels also had over six inches causing flooding of the Comal River.

Neighboring Victoria reported between four to six inches, which caused numerous road closures in their area and flooded roads in the city.

Lightning during the intense storms was stronger and more frequent with several booming strikes rattling windows and knocking out power in several locations.

Lightning frequency in thunderstorms varies due to several factors related to the storm’s intensity and characteristics, including updraft strength, glaciation rate (ice forming in the storm), and the presence of wind shear.

Strong updrafts and ice forming, occur in more intense storms, leading greater charge separation (positive and negative fields), and more frequent strong lightning strikes.

When ice forms rapidly, lightning and thunder will be generated to a significantly increased degree. The more frequent lightning occurs, in turn creates a louder, stronger thunder clap.

When lightning strikes are close, the resulting sound can be a loud crack, while distant strikes can produce a longer low rumble.

Very frequent lightning in a thunderstorm can also create a continuous rumble, as the sound waves from one strike overlap with those of the next strike.