July weather goes from unusual to just about typical
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- This past July was one of the months that doesn't happen very often when it comes to rainfall and temperatures. July is typically the second hottest and the second driest month of the year.
Recent Julys found a strong and stationary high-pressure system, or the heat dome dominating the local weather. That did not happen for most of the month. When the heat dome did establish itself over the state, it didn't stay too long.
The month started with a normal high of 95°. The next 20 days would be what we refer to as "blue box days" where the afternoon highs were below normal. July 4 and 5 had the coolest of those below normal days with highs of 82° and 77°, respectively.
The first above normal high happened on July 22 when the thermostat reached 98°. Two days later, the month's first triple-digit high was recorded at 100°.
The last three days of the month were the hottest with highs of 100°, 101° and 102°. This was due to a ridge of upper-level high pressure that settled over north Texas. The four days of triple-digit highs are six shy of a "typical" July.
Rainfall during the month, the second driest of the year, is 1.96." We had that beat by July 4.
Lingering moisture from Tropical Storm Barry moved over the area July 4 weekend. The moisture fetch from the Gulf led to the intense rainfall causing the massive floods.
The Austin-Camp Mabry rain gauge measured rain (.01" of higher) the first five days and nine of the first 15 with a total of 5.70" before the month was half over. In that time was a record-setting 2.68" on July 5.
After .15" on July 13, the Mabry gauge was dry the next 12 days until the only day of rain in the second of the month was measured. On the final Saturday of July, .38" was recorded..
In summary, July 2025 tied for the 45th coolest (with 1913, 1927 and 1931) and the ninth wettest at the Camp Mabry reporting station.
At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the numbers reflect the 16th coolest (83.2° -1.3°) and the 16th wettest (3.12" +0.96) July.