Austin, Texas just hit 100 degrees today (according to weather.com).
This is our 25th day of 100 degree weather this year. That pales in comparison to 2011, where at this time last year we were counting down to breaking the previous record of 69 days of 100 degree days set back in 1925. Austin did that and more, setting a new record of 90 days of 100 degree days in a single year a month and a half later.
Nevertheless, this year is still above our average of 13.5 days of 100 degree weather, but to the north of Texas, the midsection of the country is experiencing drought and heat waves comparable to ours of 2011. That being said, weather forecasters are seeing the development of a moderate El Nino which could bring enough rain to Texas this winter to break our drought. We can only hope that it is not a strong El Nino like the one that hit in 1997 and 1998 which brought major flooding to the state. These feast or famine swings of weather are taking their toll on many things in this state – our agriculture, economy, electric grid . . .
If climate change is responsible for these extreme weather events, then maybe our leaders should look more closely at what we can do to slow climate change and mitigate the effects.
