Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Texas Triple-Digit Heat Update


Image: August 26 high temperature forecast from National Weather Service

For other record temperatures in Texas and elsewhere, see:
Record Heat
Record Cold


August 30 Update: Texas Public Radio also reports on high energy bills via American Public Media's Marketplace program:
Texas heat sends energy bills soaring

August 27 Update: Thursday was another triple digit day. The highs, virtually identical to Tuesday:
Austin/Bergstrom 101°
Austin/Mabry 103°
San Antonio 100°
Del Rio 102°
August 26 Midnight Update: This is now the 66th day of 100°+ temperatures in 2009 at Austin/Mabry, 3 short of the record in 1925.

August 26 3 pm Update: The temperature has already reached the century mark by mid afternoon at Austin/Bergstrom, Austin/Mabry (101°), and McAllen.

Waco tied the daily record on Monday, August 24:
A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 103 DEGREES WAS SET AT WACO YESTERDAY.   
THIS TIES THE OLD RECORD OF 103 SET IN 2006.
Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reports that the prolonged heat has raised Texas electric bills, despite a sharp drop in the price of natural gas. (Most electricity in Texas is generated from natural gas.)

August 26 Update: Today's forecast shows the likelihood of 100°+ heat across much of the area again today.

11 pm Update: Highs updated through 5 pm and south Texas locations added. Map previously shown was incorrect and has been deleted.

As they have on so many days this month and this season, temperatures in south-central Texas have once again reached and exceeded the century mark this afternoon. As of 5 pm CDT, today's highs so far include:
Austin/Bergstrom 101°
Austin/Mabry 103°
San Antonio 100°
Del Rio 101°
The temperature has now reached 100° or higher every day this month at Austin except for the 2nd and 19th. The overall monthly average of 90° is 5.2° above the long-term average and well on its way to breaking the all-time August record.

In south Texas, the following highs were reported:
Corpus Christi    99° (tied record)
Victoria 97°
Brownsville 96°
Harlingen 97°
McAllen 101°
McAllen set or tied records the previous 3 days:
A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 104 DEGREES WAS SET AT MCALLEN   
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT YESTERDAY [Monday]. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 102
DEGREES SET IN 1970 AND TIED IN 2002.

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 106 DEGREES WAS SET AT MCALLEN TODAY [Sunday].
THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 102 DEGREES SET IN 1958.

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 104 DEGREES WAS SET AT MCALLEN
YESTERDAY [Saturday]. THIS TIES THE OLD RECORD OF 104 SET IN 1997.

No comments:

Seasonal Outlook

Latest seasonal forecast: Click here.


Latest 3-month temperature outlook from Climate Prediction Center/NWS/NOAA.