Southern Texas received a good soaking rain this morning and despite areas of flooding, the downpours were a welcomed sight.  The parched landscape of south Texas has been enduring one of the worst droughts in recent years.  Corpus Christi’s rainfall deficit exceeds 16 inches for the year.  Rainfall amounts have been between 4-10 inches along the Texas coastal bend.  This is truly like liquid sunshine!  The heaviest rain has moved east but the area still has another shot at rain later today as a cold front passes.

Checking out the latest drought monitor from the National Weather Service, areas of exceptional drought still exist (highest drought level category) but the real estate that is considered to be in a drought has substantially shrunk since the summer.  San Antonio, for example, has caught up on their rainfall and is now only 2 inches below normal for the year.

July to November comparison of the drought conditions in Texas.  Notice that the exceptional drought conditions have dramatically decreased.

Heavy snow and high wind can be expected this weekend from the Cascades to the Northern Rockies.  Below is the current snow depth across the country.  Normally, there is at least SOME snow east of the Rockies by now.  The unusually mild November has resulted in plain old rain events for the Midwest and Northeast.  However, a reality check arrives next week as temperatures plummet into the 30′s and the snowflakes begin to fly just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanksgiving Forecast:

Enjoy the weekend!

Kristin Clark

WeatherNation Meteorologist