The Highest Temperature Ever Recorded in Texas History
Drumroll, please… the highest temperature ever recorded in Texas was set on August 12, 1936, in a small city called Seymour, when the thermometer peaked at an astounding 120° Fahrenheit. Seymour is just under 200 miles northwest of Dallas, and in an area that is classed as a humid subtropical climate – not even the desert! The 120° honor was shared on that same day in Fort Worth. And completing a three-way tie for hottest day ever in the state was a city that is in the desert region – Monahans, near Odessa, on June 28, 1994.
Honorary Mentions: Hottest Days Ever in Texas
As anyone who lives in our beautiful state knows full well, we’re no strangers to hot summers. What are some of the other highest temperatures on record?
119 degrees in Big Bend: June 23, 2023
Located in Big Bend National Park, the Rio Grande Village topped 119 degrees, barely missing the number one spot.
117 degrees in Wichita Falls: June 28, 1980
The summer months of 1980 were hot all across the state. While reaching a high of 117° on the last Saturday in June, Wichita Falls saw triple digit temperatures that lasted all weekend.
116 degrees in La Puerta: May 9, 2024
Record high temperatures aren’t a thing of the past – in fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) predicted above-average temperatures for 2024. On May 9, La Puerta capped out at 116°.
116 degrees in Midland-Odessa: June 27, 1990
The heat wave of June 1994 struck again, with 116° degree temperatures in Midland-Odessa.
115 degrees in Laredo: June 19, 2023
This wasn’t the only year that Laredo saw 115° temperatures: it also happened in 1927, 1942, and 1985.
114 degrees in Waco: July 23, 2018
Waco typically sees July temperatures of around 95°, but in 2018 a statewide heat wave brought the temperatures there to 114°.
114 degrees in San Angelo: June 20, 2023
Also in June of 2023, the west Texas town of San Angelo, about 200 miles west of Waco, capped out at a sweltering 114°.
Hottest Town in Texas
According to NOAA, the hottest town in Texas is Del Rio, in the Southwest desert of the state. Del Rio averages 134 days per year with temperatures higher than 90° Fahrenheit.
Causes of Rising Temperatures in Texas
A Hotter Gulf of Mexico
Temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico are on the rise; in 2024 they have already surpassed record highs for the time of year. Winds that blow from the Gulf onto the mainland keep the air from cooling to less than 80° Fahrenheit at nights.
Climate Change
Human-caused climate change is linked to the rise of the temperatures in the Gulf, as well as to the water cycle, shifting weather patterns, and melting land ice around the world, all of which are predicted to contribute to extreme weather.
The Heat Dome
This phenomenon occurs when a high pressure ridge in the upper atmosphere captures hot, dry air that then sinks to the ground, keeping clouds from forming and causing the hot air to stagnate and cause heat waves.
Future Predictions for Texas Hot Weather
According to a 2019 study published in Environmental Research Communications, climate change will continue to cause average temperatures in Texas to rise. 40 days of 110° Fahrenheit or higher temperatures are expected to be added every year, by the middle of the century.
Effects of Extreme Heat on the Power Grid
Heat waves bring higher demand for electric-powered air conditioning, which can put a serious strain on the electricity grid and even lead to overload. In 2023, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reported an all-time high demand on Tuesday, June 27 – breaking the previous record from the year before.
Natural gas turbines can also become 25% less efficient than they are in milder weather, and the many power plants that use water for cooling can become less efficient as the temperature of this water rises. This and other factors can lead to equipment failure, causing the plants to go offline. Power lines can also fail as the metal wires lengthen ever so slightly, with the result that they hang lower to the ground, leading to an increased risk of outages.
Measures to Ensure Grid Reliability
In June of 2023, ERCOT introduced the ERCOT Contingency Reserve Services (ECRS) to help protect the grid during extreme events, and make sure that there is enough power to meet electricity demand even if there are unexpected disruptions.
FAQ
Where and when were the hottest days on record in Texas?
The honor of hottest day ever is shared by Seymour and Fort Worth, in August of 1936, as well as Monahans in June of 1994.
What city in Texas has the best year-round weather?
Houston is widely recognized for having the best weather of major Texas cities, with an overall annual average high of 78° and low of 60° Fahrenheit.
