Southern U.S. Experiences Record-Breaking Summer Heat with More on the Way

Posted: August 12, 2022 2:27 pm

It has been a summer of record-breaking heat for much of the U.S. with the southern Plains taking the brunt of the sizzling weather.

Persistent Heat Sends Records Falling All Over the Country

Records have fallen all over the place as heat wave after heat wave has gripped the nation. In addition to the searing heat, the ongoing drought has contributed to another set of problems with plummeting water reservoir levels and an increased wildfire risk.

What areas are being hit the hardest by the heat? Oregon recorded its fourth-hottest July in history at the hands of a heat wave at the end of the month. Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island all came in with the fifth-hottest July on the books. Looking at August, Boston recorded its hottest start to the month when the mercury soared over eight degrees above average for this time of the year.

The southern Plains has been hit particularly hard by the heat this summer. Oklahoma City has already recorded 19 days of temperature readings in the triple digits. This figure is three more days than the past five years combined, speaking to the rarity of this type of pervasive heat. Even more surprising is that the city has hit this reading 19 days compared to no days in the triple digits in all of 2021.

Lone Star State Sizzler

The heat has been unbearable for many areas of Texas. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Lone Star State recorded its hottest July and time periods measuring between May through July and April through July. Cities such as Austin, San Antonio, and Houston have all recorded the hottest summer on record with readings trending about five degrees above average.

Like Oklahoma City, San Antonio is also racking up the triple digit days. The city is on pace to break the record of 59 days at this reading. As of Thursday, San Antonio had recorded 57 days at 100 or greater. It has been even hotter in Austin with 61 days hitting at least 100 degrees.

While Dallas has not seen the number of 100-degree days as its counterparts to the south, the Big D has recorded three straight weeks of readings of 95 degrees or higher. All of Dallas County is under the designation of an extreme drought as defined by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Dallas finally saw measurable rain on Wednesday, ending a 67-day stretch with no significant precipitation. This stretch is distinguished as the second-longest dry streak as measured at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The current record is 85 days dating back to the summer of 2000.

The ongoing drought has also dried out the ground, making it easier for the August sun to heat up the atmosphere at a faster clip.

Sunshine State Living Up to its Name

Similar to Texas, Florida has also seen higher temperatures across the board this summer. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the Sunshine State has seen temperatures as much as three degrees warmer than usual this summer. Some areas are recording temperatures that are averaging five degrees warmer than normal. For instance, Fort Lauderdale has now tied the record for 100-degree days by this time of August.

Hot and Muggy Across the Gulf Coast

The Gulf Coast is also not immune to the record-breaking heat. The coastal town of Gulfport, Mississippi has recorded four 100-degree days already this summer, tying the record at this point in the year.

While the peak of the heat has likely passed throughout the Gulf Coast, this region of the U.S. is currently bracing for the onset of the height of hurricane season. Because the temperatures are predicted to remain toasty, the ingredients for tropical storm development will be in place for the next few months. Forecasters have been predicting a strengthening of the La Niña weather pattern, boosting the odds of tropical activity heading into the fall.

In addition, sea-surface temperatures in the northern Gulf of Mexico continue to trend above average because of the extreme heat over the last few months. These warm weather temperatures deliver fertile breeding ground for tropical activity.

Did you find this content useful? Feel free to bookmark or to post to your timeline for reference later.

Recent Posts