C/S TX Weather: Seasonal with some rains

[South Texas Storms]

Yeah!! A big storm hit my house in SA! Very beneficial rainfall from it! I'm so happy!!

[Rgv20]

If only rainfall can be more of a common occurrence in Texas

The high for Rio Grande City was 104

[South Texas Storms]

The rain today in south central Texas wasn't as widespread as I hoped. Our last decent chance of rain is on Friday before we go back to the hot and dry weather pattern. Ugh!

[Shoshana]

Day 36 102 Mabry, 100 Bergstrom

Goin on vacation today so if I miss a day can someone post? TY Otherwise I will post as I get internet access and catch up when I get back!

[Shoshana]

From the AAS

No relief in sight for triple-digit heat wave

By Claudia Grisales | Friday, July 22, 2011, 08:22 AM

Central Texas’ high temperature will linger in the 100-degree range this weekend and into the coming week, according to the National Weather Service.

Evening lows are slated to reach the high 70s throughout the weekend, the service said.

Both Camp Mabry and Austin-Bergstrom reached the triple-digit mark yesterday. For Camp Mabry, yesterday’s high of 103 marked the sixth straight day of triple-digit heat.

Camp Mabry has reached 100 degrees 37 days this year.

At this pace, we could come close to a record 69 triple-digit days set in 1925 or 68 days set in 2008.

KXAN

Hotter temps are on the way; really?
Austin Energy says they're prepared for demand

Updated: Friday, 22 Jul 2011, 5:46 PM CDT
Published : Friday, 22 Jul 2011, 5:46 PM CDT

Reagan Hackleman

AUSTIN (KXAN) - If you think its hot now, just wait until next week!

“We are now approaching late July and early August and this is typically about the hottest point of the year,” said Bob Rose , chief meteorologist with the Lower Colorado River Authority .

Rose said the Austin area can expect temperatures starting next week to hover around 105 degrees for most of the week. After that, Rose said it could get even hotter.

"As we get toward maybe the second, third week of August, if conditions remain as dry as they are right now with no rain in the area, I think it's possible, a day here and a day there, that we could see readings spike up to 108," Rose said.

Temperatures that hot can be dangerous, warns Dr. Eric Higginbotham with the Dell Children’s Medical Center.

“Anytime that we are getting into heat that we are getting into over the next couple of days, if you are going to be outside [make it a] short amount of time and [drink] plenty of liquid,” said Higginbotham.

He said, health-wise, anyone with conditions aggravated by the heat should be very careful. He said the biggest killer during these hot summer months has to do with something many of us turn to for relief.

“Drowning. It's the biggest, most heartbreaking thing we deal with here that is completely preventable by someone just paying a little bit more attention,” said Higginbotham

Austin Energy said the state's electrical grid is prepared for the climbing temperatures with 17 percent of its energy in reserves.

“We are seeing higher loads but we are prepared for it,” said Leslie Sopko with Austin Energy.

For those who can’t afford to keep that energy going, Austin Energy can help.

“When the heat index is forecasted to be 102 degrees, and the following day is forecasted to be the same, then we'll suspend a disconnect so that people can stay comfortable during these hot temperatures,” Sopko said.

Hot temperatures that will more than likely be getting higher, but according to Sopko, Austin has seen worse.

“Right now, I don't think this will be our hottest summer on record, probably coming in about second place,” Sopko said.

To find out more information about resources available through Austin Energy click here .

[Shoshana]

Friday: Day 38 104 @ Mabry and Bergstrom

[Shoshana]

Sat:

Day 39 104 Mabry 102 Bergstrom

[South Texas Storms]

I'm starting to really get concerned that if we don't get a tropical system this year our drought will go on for a long time. No El Nino this year and the long range forecasts don't give me much hope that this drought will end anytime soon. Do yall feel the same way?

[vbhoutex]

I'm starting to really get concerned that if we don't get a tropical system this year our drought will go on for a long time. No El Nino this year and the long range forecasts don't give me much hope that this drought will end anytime soon. Do yall feel the same way?

If we don't get something to break this drought it could easily become more self perpetuating than it already is. I don't like the current prospects of it being broken, but am hopeful that at least a small break may happen with a passing tropical event of some sort.

[Ptarmigan]

I'm starting to really get concerned that if we don't get a tropical system this year our drought will go on for a long time. No El Nino this year and the long range forecasts don't give me much hope that this drought will end anytime soon. Do yall feel the same way?

I hope the forecast are wrong about La Nina. I do not want to see another 1950s drought. That was really bad.

[South Texas Storms]

I'm starting to really get concerned that if we don't get a tropical system this year our drought will go on for a long time. No El Nino this year and the long range forecasts don't give me much hope that this drought will end anytime soon. Do yall feel the same way?

I hope the forecast are wrong about La Nina. I do not want to see another 1950s drought. That was really bad.

How long did that drought last? Do you have any idea when this could possibly end Ptarmigan?

[Shoshana]

Sun

Day 40 Mabry 105 Bergstrom 102

The drought in the 50's lasted about 7 years and ended in 1957 with a flood.

That drought is why cities across Texas started building so many lakes to hold water for the future.

[South Texas Storms]

Oh goodness this drought better not last 7 years. This on is already the 3rd worst in state history and it has only been going on for a year now. You guys don't think it will last that long, do you?

[Ptarmigan]

The 1917-1918 drought had the lowest Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). 1919 had the highest PDSI and was one of the wettest years for Texas. Droughts end in floods.

[South Texas Storms]

I'm almost positive a huge flood will end this drought. I just hope it is soon aka from a tropical system this summer/fall.

[Portastorm]

Saw an interesting blog posting which Joe Bastardi tweeted about this morning. The essence of the post indicated that the severity of a previous winter's La Nina corresponds with the severity of a drough in the Southern Plains/Texas area. Last winter's Nina was the second strongest on record. Our current drought/heat wave is well documented here.

I am hoping/praying this winter is neutral to Nino.

As an aside, I drove back to Austin from North Carolina over the weekend. It is amazing how the landscape goes from lush green as far west as eastern Louisiana to brown/dust in Texas. There is a huge electronic sign flashing as you enter the state from Louisiana in I-20 which reads "Extreme Drought Conditions. Conserve Water." Ugh.

[South Texas Storms]

Porta I think we all feel the same way here in TX. I've been praying and will keep praying for an end to this drought. It will end. I just hope it is soon.

[Portastorm]

Sun

Day 40 Mabry 105 Bergstrom 102

The drought in the 50's lasted about 7 years and ended in 1957 with a flood.

That drought is why cities across Texas started building so many lakes to hold water for the future.

I don't know the exact temps but I know we hit 100 degrees or higher at both Mabry and Bergstrom locations on Monday and today (Tuesday).

Day 42. And counting.

[Rgv20]

Since July 19 Rio Grande City has been 102 or more...Today was 102.

Hopefully we get some rain Friday and Saturday courtesy of 90l

[Portastorm]

104 at Mabry and 101 at Bergstrom.

Day 43 of triple-digit high temps.