In the central portion of its area, the climate gradually changes from middle latitude steppe in the north and subtropical steppe in the south. In the far western portions, climates are highly localized with elevation and range from subtropical desert in the south to middle lattitde steppe and highland climates in the north. Heavy winter snowfalls are also common in the Rocky Mountains portion of the area. Hourly records indicate that heavy precipitation events can occur at any time of the day. The western portion of its area is dominated by high mountain ranges separated by wide, semi-arid valleys.
Flash flooding is a common problem of the the entire area.
Several major population centers are located along the larger rivers in Texas. We also have a nice color map which shows our area of responsibility and forecast areas. Even though the Red River flows through the Texas Panhandle, it is not included in our area of responsibility because the Red is a tributary of the Mississippi River. I see you go in, hear some voices, and see you come out. When we're not making forecasts on rivers, we use the time to refine our procedures, to make our computer models better, and try to improve our methods for forecasting so when major flooding does occur, we're ready for it.