An Investigation of Clouds and Precipitation for the Texas High Plains Page: II
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ABSTRACT
A study of the relationship among cloudiness, precipiable water vapor,
water vapor flux, stability and precipitation is presented for ,he Texas High
Plains. A cloud census, based on data from three first-order United States
Weather Bureau stations, gives the annual and diurnal variations of cloud types
and amounts in the area. The census reveals that the most common cloud types
are altocumulus and cirrus. Total cloud cover is greatest during winter and
least during the fall. A study of clouds during periods of above normal rain-
fall indicates that precipitation during late fall and winter is associated
with stratiform clouds which develop in conjunction with cyclonic activity.
Spring and summer precipitation is most highly correlated with cumuliform clouds
characteristic of convective activity. As expected, periods of above normal
precipitation in the plains area are associated with above normal cloud amounts,
while dry periods are generally lacking in clouds. An exception is summer
cumulus which occurs with surprising regularity during both dry and wet periods.
Investigation of other macro-scale atmospheric features indicates that
wet periods are further characterized by atmospheric instability and above
normal values of precipitable water vapor and water vapor transport. Dry periods
are associated with atmospheric circulation patterns which either serve to cut
off the supply of low-level moisture, produce subsidence and consequent atmos-
pheric stability, or both. These conditions, which are unfavorable for the
formation of precipitating clouds, often lead to extended periods with very
few clouds. The success of attempts at artificial precipitation production
would depend in these cases upon the initiation of cloud development. Occa-
sionally, however, sufficient clouds are present during dry periods in conjunction
with adequate supplies of precipitable water and the absence of upper level sta-
bility. It is these situations which may hold promise for artificial cloud
modification experiments.ii
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Haragan, Donald R. An Investigation of Clouds and Precipitation for the Texas High Plains, report, March 1970; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth839452/m1/4/?q=%22~1~1%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.