Dig Deeper on Grape Creek
San Angelo is a quiet, agricultural and light manufacturing center in west-central Texas. Originally a frontier fort, the city retains some outpost character along with a Spanish/Mexican influence. Industries include ranching, cotton, pecans, and light manufacturing with some oil and gas development. It has picked up some business activity migrating from bigger Texas cities looking for lower costs and the small town lifestyle. The city is also a commercial, health, and minor cultural center for a 13-county area. Goodfellow Air Force Base adds a military and a strong economic influence. Highlights include a few minor cultural amenities, minor-league sports, and Angelo State University with 6,000 students.
San Angelo is located near the center of Texas at the northern edge of the Edwards Plateau. The landscape is level to slightly rolling with hills up to 2,700 feet. The climate is semiarid or steppe but has some humid, temperate characteristics. Warm, dry weather predominates although changes may be rapid and frequent with the passage of northerly cold fronts. Summer high temperatures come with fair skies, southwest winds, and dry air.
Rapid temperature drops occur after sunset, and most nights are pleasant with lows in the upper 60’s and lower 70’s. Temperatures can dip to zero or below. Rainfall is typical of the Great Plains region, much occurring as thunderstorms with wide variations in annual precipitation from year to year. Heavy rainfall occurs in spring and fall and may occur in late summer months with tropical storms. Winds can be high and persistent for several days, carrying dust if conditions are dry.