Texas Feels the Heat: Unusual Warmth Breaks Records

Texas experienced some unusually warm weather this week, with temperatures soaring higher than usual for this time of year. On Tuesday, Del Rio International Airport recorded a high of 84 degrees Fahrenheit, which broke the previous record of 82 degrees set in 1989 and 2023. This wasn't the only place in Texas feeling the heat. Austin also tied its record high at both Camp Mabry and Austin Bergstrom, both reaching 84 degrees. The warmth isn't expected to let up soon. The National Weather Service (NWS) predicted more record-breaking temperatures for Wednesday and Thursday. But it wasn't all sunshine and warmth. A dense fog advisory was issued for the Coastal Plains until 10 a. m. on Wednesday, with visibilities dropping below a quarter mile. Drivers were advised to slow down and use their low beams. Houston also saw record highs on Tuesday. IAH airport recorded a high of 82 degrees, breaking the previous record of 80 set in 1989. Hobby Airport also hit 82 degrees, surpassing its 1956 record of 80.This warm spell isn't just a one-day event. A strong upper high has been sitting over the middle of the country since mid-December, bringing numerous days of record or near-record temperatures across the southern Plains, including much of Texas. This heat wave began early this week and is expected to continue through January 7. A cold front is expected to move in from the northwest on Friday, bringing cooler temperatures to areas away from the coast. However, places like Houston and the lower Rio Grande Valley may still see highs in the 80s, with the lower Rio Grande Valley possibly reaching near 90 degrees. This isn't the only place in the U. S. experiencing unusual warmth. Several climate sites across Nebraska also hit record highs over the weekend. Monitoring stations in North Platte, Valentine, Broken Bow, and Imperial all surpassed their daily maximum temperatures for January 4.