An Investigation of Clouds and Precipitation for the Texas High Plains Page: 116

                                
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20 times in 72 years, usually over a 2-3-day period. The heaviest, 20.6 inches,
occurred March 25-26, 1934, in 23 hours, much melting as it fell, the greatest
depth on'the ground reaching only 4.5 inches. The record greatest depth on
ground was 16.5 inches February 26, 1903, when 17.5 inches fell in 49 hours.
The most damaging blizzard occurred March 23-25, 1957, when 11.1 inches fell,
reached a depth of 10 inches, and northerly winds averaged 40 m.p.h. with gusts
over 50 m.p.h. for 24 hours producing severe drifting.
The Amarillo area is subject to rapid and large temperature changes,
especially during the winter months, when cold fronts from the northern Rocky
Mountain and Plains states sweep across the level plains at speeds up to 40 m.p.h.
Temperature drops of from 400 to 600 within a 12-hour period are not uncommon in
association with these fronts, and 400 drops have occurred within a few minutes.
Normally, the coldest period occurs in mid-January, however, the record minimum
temperature, -160, occurred February 12, 1899. Long term records of 00, or
below, average less than 3 days per year. Normally, the warmest period occurs
in July, but the record maximum temperature of 1080 occurred June 24, 1953.
Temperatures 1000, or higher, average 6 days per year, slightly more frequent
in July than June or August. Usually there is low humidity and sufficient wind
to prevent the high daytime temperatures from being particularly uncomfortable,
and rapid cooling occurs at night..
Humidity averages rather low, frequently dropping below 20 percent and
occasionally below 4.percent in the spring. Low humidity moderates the effect
of high summer afternoon temperatures, and makes evaporative cooling systems very
effective most of the time.
Severe local storms are infrequent, though a few thunderstorms, with
damaging hail, lightning, and wind in a very localized area, occur most years,
usually in spring and early summer. These storms are often accompanied by very
heavy rain, which produces local flooding, particularly of roads and streets.
Tornadoes are rare, one of record moving through the city of Amarillo late
Sunday afternoon, May 15, 1949, causing 6 deaths and 87 injuries, with damage
estimated at $)1,800,000. In the county-wide area 10 tornadoes have been recorded
in 70 years.
Lubbock, Texas Lubbock is located on the high, level surface of the South Plains
Region of northwest Texas, at an elevation of 3,243 feet. The South Plains are
part of the Llano Estacado which is isolated from the remainder of the High Plains