Rain erases 2023 moisture deficit

Rain and snow on Tuesday eradicated a moisture deficit Wichita Falls had accrued during January.

The city officially got 1.03-inch of precipitation by Wednesday, compared to the normal amount of .97 received by this time of year. This marks the first time in months the city has been ahead on the rain game, but Wichita Falls must still make up for an eight-inch deficit left from 2022.

Rain turned to snow Tuesday but warm ground conditions limited accumulation. The National Weather Service warned of a few icy spots on Wednesday morning, but the overnight low stayed just above freezing.

The short bout of winter weather prompted a few school closings in the region Tuesday and many districts, including Wichita Falls ISD, delayed opening on Wednesday.

The rain came on a day the city of Wichita Falls noted a landmark. Nine billion gallons of wastewater has been processed through the Indirect Potable Reuse system and pumped into Lake Arrowhead. The system went online in 2018 after Wichita Falls had emerged from a record-breaking five year drought.

“Nine billion gallons equates to two years of water usage in Wichita Falls, and that’s what has been pumped back into the lake to help make the city more drought tolerant,” said Public Works Director Russell Schreiber.

The weather service predicts sunny or cloudy skies for the week ahead with a small chance of showers returning to the forecast Tuesday, Jan. 31.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Rain erases 2023 moisture deficit