Some say Texas is known for it's weather. There's a
saying down here, that if you are unsatisfied with the weather, wait a few minutes and it'll change. That in part is
true during the winter time. We have been known to be in the 80's one weekend, then have 1 inch of ice on the ground
the next (no kidding it happened a few years ago!).
Texas has only 2 seasons. Summer and Winter. Summer
runs, pretty much March thru December, with Winter being sometimes December through February. Our "worst" winter months
(the times we have the best chance for "snow") is usually February.
The trees around here do change colors Novemeberish, but most likely
from the several month long draught rather than the temperature changes.
And the storms. We have very LOUD storms. Thunder, lightning,
hail the size of grapefruits, normal storm winds of 60+ mph (during a normal clear day we can get 30-45 mph winds!)
tornados (or as the officials call them, straight line winds)etc.
With the weather constantly changing, we can check it as we leave
the house to go on an investigation, and an hour later it can be totally different. So we have learned to watch the
clouds.
Certain cloud formations signal changes in the weather (though alot
of the times, one can signal imminent storms and they never arrive). Knowing these formations help you anticipate likely
changes in the weather, the following are some examples of these formations and the weather that usually comes with them (pictures
are soon to follow):
- High and hazy clouds usually form a halo around the sun or moon (an
old wives tale is if there is a halo around the moon, rain is coming). These clouds indicate that a storm may arrive
within hours.
- Large clouds with cauliflower-like tops (aka thunderheads) signal
an imminent thunderstorm. An active storm looks dark and "heavy" from below.
- Rolling, dark clouds indicate that bad weather may arrive within
minutes.
- Fleecy white clouds (think sheep) indicate that good weather is ahead.
If you see a straight line, with the bottom part being dark grey or
grey, that is called a squall line, meaning storms are headed towards your way. If there is a straight line of clouds,
it usually signals a coming front.