The National Weather Service has released new climate averages or "normals". We've been using data based on 1971 to 2000. With a move forward a decade, beginning in August the NWS will use averages from 1981 to 2010. Records still go back to the beginning of when data was kept; in Lubbock's case this is about 100 years.
The change in the 30-year period used means the average rainfall in Lubbock moves from 18.69 inches to now 19.12 inches. Also, the average temp through the year rose from 59.7 to 60.7 degrees.
Dropping the 70s and adding the 2000s reflects a wetter and warmer period. There was more snow in the 70s so the averages will show a two-inch decrease in average snowfall, from 10.4 inches to now 8.2 inches.
This means August 1 we will see an additional bump in our yearly rainfall deficit, of .43 inches.
Click here - for more details from the Lubbock office of the National Weather Service.
