August Heat and Water Restrictions

KTAB Viewers,

As you have probably heard on August 4^th on KTAB News, Mayor Norm Archibald has set water restrictions for the Abilene area. This happens when Lake Ft. Phantom's water level drops to AT or BELOW 5feet from the top of the dam...or FULL POOL.

Full Pool is: 1,635.90'.

Current Lake level is at 1,630.85'

We are now 5.05' BELOW full pool

For more information on the current watering restrictions, go to:

http://www.abilenetx.com/WaterUtilitiesDept/yearround.htm

For frequently asked questions about water restrictions, go to:

http://www.abilenetx.com/Press/documents/WaterConservationfaqs_000.pdf

For more information on Texas lake levels, go to:

http://wiid.twdb.state.tx.us/ims/resinfo/BushButton/lakeStatus.asp

So, this being said…. looks like the Big Country will be in a prolonged period of hot and dry weather through most of the month of August, as an upper level high (sinking air) will be entrenched overhead. Afternoon highs will reach the century mark through the end of the week. After Friday, the ridge of high pressure shifts east briefly into the southeastern parts of the United States, bringing a more east-southeast flow in the upper levels off of the Gulf of Mexico. This will allow any disturbances or tropical development to head into the parched areas of South Texas, bringing some WELCOME relief to their ongoing drought. This brief pattern shift will also bring our humidity levels back up a bit in the Big Country and the Heartland, dropping afternoon highs back to near normal through the weekend and into early next week.

The extended forecast through mid August….look for near normal temperatures with afternoon highs in the mid to upper 90’s, with morning lows in the low to mid 70s.

I will also keep you all informed on the latest information on the developing El Nino, or warming waters in the Pacific Ocean, on KTAB News at 5, 6 and 10 though the coming months.

Dan Edwards