ATHENS —
The year 2012 was hotter and dryer than normal, but still an improvement over the previous year, according to data from the National Weather Service.
Daily records kept at Athens Municipal Airport show temperatures crept higher than the 30-year average in every month except October. The rainfall total for the year was 37.5 inches, more than six inches below the 30-year norm of 42.94.
Meteorologist Jesse Moore of the NWS in Fort Worth said despite the improvements, 2012 was drier and warmer than normal. Looking ahead through the remainder of 2013, Moore sees normal temperatures and about-normal rainfall.
Early 2012 began with a wet winter, ending the severe drought conditions of the previous year. January rainfall totaled 4.94 inches, followed by 3.96 in February. March provided the most precipitation of the year, with 7.78 inches.
“We had quite a bit of rainfall at the start of the year, then we dried out,” Moore said.
April and May, which usually provide a combined rainfall of almost eight inches, only accounted for 1.21 inches in April and 2.37 inches in May. After the wet winter, only August, with 2.50 inches, and a rainy September (7.30 inches), exceeded the 30-year rainfall average.
Summer temperatures were several degrees below the record-breaking heat of 2011. The average June high was 92.7 degrees, compared to 96.73 the previous year. In July, where the 2011 average high rose to 101.1, the 2012 number was 94.61 degrees. August highs averaged 96.13 degrees last year after a scorching 104.6 in 2011.
Local News
Better — relatively speaking
Weather in 2012 was hot and dry, but still not as bad as 2011
- Local News
-
-
In remembrance of heroes
The roll call of armed services veterans buried in the Athens City Cemetery for the past century-and-a-half is a long one.
A Veterans Memorial, created in their honor, will be dedicated on Memorial Day Monday, with 5th District Congressman Jeb Hensarling serving as the keynote speaker. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at the cemetery on South Prairieville Street. -
Does Athens Middle School have talent? You bet it does!
Drake Grammer (right) won first place in Friday’s Athens Middle School Talent Contest. He will receive a free meal from McDonald’s Lilly Enterprises. He will be taken, along with all students that placed in competition, to his meal by a limousine provided by A Trinity Valley Home Health and Therapy Services. Grammer will also receive $50. At left, is Amily Partin, who received Honorable Mention for her performance. Others receiving Honorable Mention were Fredrick Magouirk and George Jones. Second Place honors went to Mollie Davies and Third Place went to Maalik Hall. Drums for the contest were provided by Athens Middle School PTO.
-
A little old and new
CROSS ROADS — A former Cross Roads coach is returning to lead the Cross Roads athletic program after his approval by the school board on Thursday night.
-
The natural approach
Lavonia Nowell believes perhaps the best way to lose weight and be healthier is to analyze what you eat.
With those beliefs, Nowell has decided to begin the Processed-Free Living support group in Athens. -
Oklahoma: More than its share of disasters
WASHINGTON — Many states get hit frequently with tornadoes and other natural catastrophes, but Oklahoma is Disaster Central.
The twister that devastated Moore, Okla., was the 74th presidential disaster declared in the Sooner state in the past 60 years. Only much-larger and more-populous California and Texas have had more. -
Don’t let the fire die
Brownsboro Junior High eighth-grader Yasmine Mendez lights one of the candles during Thursday's induction ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society. Mendez and this year's NJHS class helped to officially welcome 36 new members who will be in eighth grade next year.
-
‘Click it or Ticket’
The Athens Police Department is part of a nationwide effort to cut down on traffic injuries and deaths by getting motorists to buckle their seat belts. It’s part of the Click It or Ticket campaign underway through June 2.
-
WWII vets visit Washington, D.C.
Two Athens men who served in World War II are part of a veteran’s visit to the nation’s capital this week.
J.C. Garrett and Doug Tanner join 28 others being escorted by Brookshires Grocery Co. who will tour the WWII Memorial and other sites. The veterans were set to leave Texas on Thursday and return at 9 a.m., Saturday. -
Taking a break, just like you
Henderson County offices will close Friday through Monday for the Memorial Day weekend.
The courthouse and other county locations have traditionally closed on a Friday in May for Fiddlers Day. County employees were given May 24 as a holiday this year in anticipation of the event. The county’s 2013 holiday schedule was already set when the organizers of Fiddlers Day decided to make it a Friday night and Saturday affair on May 31 and June 1. -
Great ability, not debatable
BROWNSBORO — Brownsboro senior Caleb Cade earned a state championship in persuasive speaking at the 2013 UIL State Speech and Debate Meet in Austin on May 22.
- More Local News Headlines
-
In remembrance of heroes
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
