An Investigation of Clouds and Precipitation for the Texas High Plains Page: 48
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48
diagrams is percentage cumulative frequency of occurrence while the abcissa
is precipitation in inches. As an example in reading the curves, note that
during April at Amarillo, precipitation amounts greater than one inch were
observed 53% of the time. Thus, based on this data sample, there is a 53%
chance that precipitation during April will be greater than one inch. For
May, there is an 87% chance that the precipitation will be greater than one
inch. These curves will be used in Section IV in comparing characteristically
wet and dry months in the plains area.
B. Synoptic Events Related to Periods of Maximum Precipitation During
the Rainy Season
Based on a network of 32 stations distributed throughout the study
area, five years of precipitation data (1956-1960) were examined in order to
select periods of maximum general precipitation. A list of stations used in
the analysis is given in Appendix IV. The distribution of the stations is
shown in Figure 19. The rain periods were selected solely on the basis of
the amount and areal extent of precipitation. No synoptic features were
considered in the selection process. Once the periods had been chosen, synoptic
features characteristic of each case were noted and the results compiled so as
to indicate the synoptic events most frequently associated with wide-spread
rainfall in the Texas plains.
Results of the study showed that springtime precipitation is dominated
by strong convective activity in association with fronts and squall lines. There
were basically four synoptic patterns associated with precipitation during the
spring season. The pattern responsible for the heaviest local rains involved
a squall line moving ahead of a cold front which passed through the study area
from the northwest. In situations of this type, strong convective showers were
often associated with both the squall line and frontal passages. Large amounts
of precipitation were deposited over a relatively short time period. These
storms were more often than not accompanied by strong winds, hail, and occasion-
ally, tornadoes. As was pointed out earlier it is doubtful that large scale
attempts at increasing the precipitation would be effective, for once the
situation has developed, precipitation falls almost without exception. In many
instances, hail damage to crops offsets any benefit which might have been
derived from the precipitation.
A more beneficial springtime rain situation as far as agriculture is
concerned is offered by the second typical pattern, shown in Figure 18. In
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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/m1/60/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.