January 2008, a month with some truly variable and BONE DRY weather, is in the history books now.

It may surprise you to know that average temperatures for the entire month were very near the "normal" values.  We had several very warm periods, offset by a couple of big chills, so it all evened out.

These temperatures were a bit colder than typical for a LaNina winter. Patterns such as LaNina generally keep winters mild, but the storm track has been a bit further south than in a "textbook" LaNina. This has helped to pull arctic air masses further south (and west) as well.

Precipitation in January was much more in line with a LaNina: almost nonexistent. Locations throughout north Texas and southern Oklahoma received a mere 10%-20% of our usual January rain.

It's no secret that fire danger remains very high over all of Texoma. Unfortunately, a rather windy (and dry) weather pattern will tend to persist well into the first week of February 2008.

Of course, it never hurts to pray...

 Take Care,

Steve LaNore

Chief Meteorologist

KXII-TV