The National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Centre said on the 15th that record-high temperatures across south-central Texas are expected to continue.
Temperatures in Austin, Texas, San Antonio, Houston, Corpus Christi, and Brownsville are predicted to continue to exceed 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) this weekend. In addition, temperatures in northern Texas, including Dallas and Fort Worth, are forecast to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A heat wave warning has been issued for southern Texas and a heat advisory has been issued for northern Texas.
In addition, the Storm Prediction Centre (SPC) warned that there is a high probability of tornadoes or large hail in northern Texas. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, from 1899 to last year, Dallas and Fort Worth first recorded 100 degrees Fahrenheit on average on July 1st.
In the relatively recent period, from 1991 to 2020, an average of 1.6 days with temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit were counted in June. The average number of days above 100 degrees Fahrenheit over that period was 7.4 in July, 9.7 in August and 1.4 in September. In contrast, this year, the heat wave hit from mid-June earlier than usual.
If the high temperature of close to 40 degrees Celsius continues until August, it not only increases the risk of heat-related illnesses, but also affects the power supply and demand in the region. However, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages 90% of the Texas power grid, predicted that electricity demand would increase due to hot weather for the time being, but the supply is still sufficient, so there is no concern about an emergency.
In addition, higher temperatures and humidity make the low pressure stronger, increasing the risk of tornadoes in the Texas interior. “Hot and humid conditions will make the storm more intense,” the National Weather Service observed.