2012 Off To a Wet Start

Whenever I go to the gym, barber shop, store, or restaurants in East Texas, the one thing people like to talk about is the recent heavy rains that have invaded the Piney Woods.

After enduring one of the driest years on record, I guess you could say that is a good thing to be discussing in these parts.

After another heavy and widespread rain event on Saturday, many areas in Deep East Texas have now received anywhere from 7 to 10 inches of rain so far in 2012. Let me repeat that, most areas have received right around 8 inches of rain in the last month and a half.

Looking at the Statistics

Remember that we ended 2011 with about 30 inches of rain. Some areas only saw about 26-28 inches, depending upon location. Based on the rain we have already recieved through mid-February, that equates to nearly a third of how much we received all of last year.

I don't know if that is an indication of how dry it was or just how wet it has been around the Piney Woods this winter.

Seeing the Impacts of Recent Rains

Going back to December, we have had over 15 inches of rain. The wet winter has replenished dried up lakes and vegetation, as well as reduce the fire threat for most of the state. You may have even noticed plants and flowers already blooming earlier than normal.

Short Term Outlook

In looking at the short term outlook, it appears that a very active and stormy weather pattern will continue for the great state of Texas. Even though every storm may not bring heavy rain, there will continue to be areas of low pressure moving in from the western half of the country. As long as we have this pattern in place, we will continue to see normal to above normal rainfall.