Temperature - Thursday, April 23, 2015

Temperature has been a seductive temptress this winter and spring. Parts of the U.S. have had wild temperature swings with bouts of very cold weather, including South Texas. Our temperatures can change 30-40 degrees in a 12-hour period.

We have had Polar Vortices and Arctic air masses drop down on us bringing colder than normal air, more rain, more thunder and lightning. This winter in South Texas I have used my heavy coat more than any other time since we lived in Oregon eight years ago.

But we weren't alone, the Northeast and Midwest had blizzards, snow and ice. Even into late April, the northern states are having snow.

The areas that have had very unusual cold weather are Tennessee, Kentucky, North and South Carolina. Some have had to shovel snow. In addition to snow, Kentucky has had floods.

Meanwhile, the West Coast has had above-normal temperatures and the snow pack in the Cascade Range, Siskiyous and Sierras is below normal. This will lead to water rationing in the West.

In South Texas, where we rely on the Edwards Aquifer for our water, the aquifer rose over six feet this week. With the rain we've had, we hope that our rivers and lakes will have more water in them this summer.

How has the weather been where you are?