Last year was the hottest ever recorded in Texas based on average temperature, according to new data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a record that follows a global trend as climate change advances.
The average temperature in Texas measured 68.1 degrees last year, said John Nielsen-Gammon, the state climatologist. That’s 0.3 degrees higher than the previous record set in 2012.
The heat came early — on June 20 Del Rio hit 113 degrees while San Angelo hit 114 — and much of the state remained well into triple digits throughout the summer. The June 24 high of 119 degrees in Big Bend National Park was one degree below the state’s all-time daily record.
It’s a continuation of a broader warming trend, Nielsen-Gammon said. Every year since 2000 in Texas has been warmer than the 20th century average. Last year was a whopping 3.5 degrees hotter than the 20th century average in the state.
Humans are causing changes to the atmosphere because of activities such as burning coal, oil and gas, which release greenhouse gas emissions that trap heat. Texas produces more oil and gas than any other state in the nation.
Extreme heat is dangerous to human health, causing heat stroke and other potentially fatal conditions, said Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas. Metzger’s son plays high school football in Texas and last summer came home with signs of heat exhaustion, he said.
The heat can be especially dangerous for those who work outdoors and low-income people who don’t have air conditioning. Studies have shown that it has even more wide-ranging impacts, from increased aggression in people to damaging crops and worsening smog.
Texas is one of those states that is quickly becoming a insurance nightmare like Florida and California. So much for the “low” cost of living.
2024: hold my beer.
Texas leads the nation in wind turbine power. But sounds like they’re gonna need more
Abbott sitting in his nice air conditioned governors mansion’s don’t care.
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Last year was the hottest ever recorded in Texas based on average temperature, according to new data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a record that follows a global trend as climate change advances.
The average temperature in Texas measured 68.1 degrees last year, said John Nielsen-Gammon, the state climatologist. That’s 0.3 degrees higher than the previous record set in 2012.
The heat came early — on June 20 Del Rio hit 113 degrees while San Angelo hit 114 — and much of the state remained well into triple digits throughout the summer. The June 24 high of 119 degrees in Big Bend National Park was one degree below the state’s all-time daily record.
It’s a continuation of a broader warming trend, Nielsen-Gammon said. Every year since 2000 in Texas has been warmer than the 20th century average. Last year was a whopping 3.5 degrees hotter than the 20th century average in the state.
Humans are causing changes to the atmosphere because of activities such as burning coal, oil and gas, which release greenhouse gas emissions that trap heat. Texas produces more oil and gas than any other state in the nation.
Extreme heat is dangerous to human health, causing heat stroke and other potentially fatal conditions, said Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas. Metzger’s son plays high school football in Texas and last summer came home with signs of heat exhaustion, he said.
The heat can be especially dangerous for those who work outdoors and low-income people who don’t have air conditioning. Studies have shown that it has even more wide-ranging impacts, from increased aggression in people to damaging crops and worsening smog.
Texas is one of those states that is quickly becoming a insurance nightmare like Florida and California. So much for the “low” cost of living.
2024: hold my beer.
Texas leads the nation in wind turbine power. But sounds like they’re gonna need more
Abbott sitting in his nice air conditioned governors mansion’s don’t care.
Hottest year…*so far.*