September a hot, dry month

September became the year’s driest month with just 0.37 of an inch falling on six days. Many above normal high temperatures also added to the building drought in the area. No measurable precip has fallen since Sept. 18th when 0.03 of an inch was recorded.

Rainfall records include 15.36 inches in 1974 and zero in 1909. Normal Sept. rainfall is 4.49 inches. To-date Hallettsville has received 37.77 inches which is 6.07 inches above normal.

A high of 101 degrees on the 20th signaled the month would not be close to normal as 90 degrees and hotter was hit on 26 days.

September’s lowest temp dropped to 61 degrees on the 29th. Daytime highs averaged 94.7 degrees (normal is 91), while lows came in at 72.3 degrees (normal is 69).

Records include an all-time high of 112 degrees on Sept. 6, 2000, with a low hitting 45 degrees on Sept. 27, 1942.

Fog was seen on eight mornings with thunder heard on two days.

FALL PREDICTIONS

Autumn does not hold much hope for rainfall as the NWS predicts dry weather will last through October and into November. Both months should see less than half the normal average.

- Larry Rothbauer, NWS Observer