This time of year, Pacific tropical activity is more important to San Antonio than what forms in the Atlantic

When we take into consideration tropical climate, our minds right away move to the Gulf of Mexico. And that’s no longer improper — a minimum of from June to September. However, when past due September and October roll round, as a substitute of observing what comes off the coast of Africa, we must be observing what develops alongside the west coast of Mexico. Why?

Key Points:

• In October, it’s what develops in the Pacific Ocean, no longer the Atlantic, that the majority regularly brings rain to San Antonio

• Pacific Hurricane Madeline performed a big position in the Flood of ‘98

• Several other Pacific tropical systems have brought flooding to South-Central Texas

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• October is when fall fronts can combine with a still ongoing Pacific tropical season to bring healthy rainfall

In the summer, the pattern can often be stagnant and the jet stream lives up in Canada. By fall, as the earth begins to tilt away from the sun, cold air starts to spill south. As a result, storm systems take shape and move west to east across the United States. As fall wears on, these storm systems dip farther and farther south. They begin to sweep cold fronts through Texas. These storm systems and fronts act as barriers to Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes. Even if a tropical system makes it into the Caribbean, it’s regularly temporarily pulled north earlier than it may possibly make it to Texas. In different phrases, it’s onerous for Atlantic tropical climate to make it to San Antonio after we get started seeing fronts.

But, that doesn’t imply we will be able to’t see tropical rainfall. The supply simply adjustments. In October, the japanese Pacific is nonetheless cranking out tropical storms and hurricanes. Meantime, the ones hurricane programs sweeping throughout the United States can draw the tropical activity north. All that thick, tropical moisture will get drawn into the United States and will pool it alongside a chilly entrance. Should that occur, heavy rain is a excellent guess. History tells us so. One of the absolute best representations is the Flood of ‘98.

On October 17, 1998, a strong upper-level storm, a front, low-level gulf moisture, and tropical moisture from Hurricane Madeline combined to produce one of the worst floods San Antonio has ever seen. And it’s no longer the best instance.

• Last 12 months, on October 24, heavy rain arrived in South Texas courtesy of Hurricane Roslyn. The hurricane in truth held in combination because it crossed over Mexico and arrived in Texas.

• On October 24, 2015, more than 4″ of rain fell in San Antonio, as many puts throughout Texas noticed flooding rains. The supply of moisture used to be Pacific Hurricane Patricia.

• Hurricane Norma in mid-October of 1981 introduced a deluge to Texas, as the device and all of its moisture streamed north throughout the state.

These are only a few examples, as there are possibly many more. Bottom line: when the calendar flips to October, glance to the Pacific to assist us ruin this drought.