Excessive Heat in Texas, August 1 to 31, 2023

Name: Excessive Heat in Texas, August 1 to 31, 2023
Start: 2023-08-01T15:00
End: 2023-08-31T21:00
Location: Texas

August 1 to 31, 2023 · NWS EWX · 18 events in 18 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 18 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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Wind
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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 18

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS EWX wrote it up.

Excessive heat was observed nearly every day of August across parts of South Central Texas. The heat wave started on the 1st in Blanco, Caldwell, De Witt, Lavaca, Llano, Gonzales, Guadalupe, and Travis Counties when temperatures reached 105 to 107. The heat spread to most of the rest of the area by the 4th and continued off and on through the end of the month. Temperatures reached as high as 112. All of our climate sites set or tied numerous daily record high temperatures and record high low temperatures. Austin Bergstrom tied the monthly record high of 110 on the 27th and set or tied the daily record on 19 other days. Del Rio set a new monthly record high of 111 on the 10th in addition to 16 other daily records. Austin Camp Mabry had 10 daily record highs. San Antonio had 14 daily record highs. Del Rio also tied the monthly record high low temperature of 84 twice on the 10th and 15th and set or tied the daily record on 17 other days. San Antonio tied the monthly record high low of 82 on the 21st and had seven other daily records. Austin Bergstrom had four daily record high lows and Austin Camp Mabry had three.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 1, 12:25 PM CST, 2 hours 35 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 1, 12:25 PM CST, 2 hours 35 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
125 PM CDT Tue Aug 1 2023

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, FIRE WEATHER...

.SHORT TERM...
(Tonight through Wednesday night)
Issued at 123 PM CDT Tue Aug 1 2023

A 597 dm H5 ridge is currently centered just to our north near the
OK/TX border, providing us with clear skies and above normal
temperatures. However, RAP analysis indicates a weak shortwave
embedded in the upper level flow just to our ENE that will rotate
around the high into our region later this afternoon. CAMS continue
to indicate the likelihood for a few showers/storms to develop this
afternoon over the east half of the region, providing some welcome
rain and brief relief to the excessive heat for a few lucky
locations. Widespread rains are unlikely.

For most locations, expect highs to range from 99 to 106 today,
except in any spots that get lucky with mid to late afternoon rains.
Similar conditions are forecast for tomorrow, though without the
relief of isolated showers. We'll continue today's heat headlines
for tomorrow

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Thursday through Tuesday)
Issued at 123 PM CDT Tue Aug 1 2023

Sorry to disappoint but there is not much more to report as we go
through the long term. It will remain hot and rain free as the mid-
level ridge remains supplanted from the Desert Southwest to the
Texas gulf coast. The deterministic global model guidance that has
hinted at troughing into north-central Texas during early next week
has become less pronounced and trended towards what the ensemble
means have favored over the past few days. The daily issuance of
heat headlines will likely continue with widespread highs above 100
degrees with the majority of the region ranging from 102 to 107
degrees. Humidity levels late each afternoon will continue to fall
within the 20 to 30 percent range. This helps keep the heat indices
closer to the ambient temperature but a few locales could see peak
heat indices to around 110 degrees. This low humidity and light to
moderate south-southeast to east-southeasterly winds along with dry
to extremely dry fuels will result in the continued near critical
fire weather. Humidity levels rebound after dark featuring warm
overnight lows ranging from the mid 70s into the low 80s.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1211 PM CDT Tue Aug 1 2023

Expect continued VFR conditions through the period. SSE winds at
around 10 knots will diminish overnight to near 5 knots and turn to
the S/SSW, then return to the S/SSE closer to 10 knots around midday
Wednesday. There is a low chance for isolated showers/storms to
develop to the east of the I-35 terminals and move into the vicinity
between 21Z today and 02Z this evening, however at this time coverage
is expected to remain very low. May amend TAFS to include VCSH/VCTS
if satellite and radar trends warrant this afternoon.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 123 PM CDT Tue Aug 1 2023

A Rangeland Fire Danger Statement for near critical fire weather
continues across all of south central Texas until 9 PM. Fine fuels
continue to bake across the region given the well above normal heat
and lack of precipitation. The dry fuels combined with low minimum
afternoon humidity levels from the upper teens to around 30 percent
and occasionally gusty south-southeast to east-southeasterly winds
will continue to pose conditions favorable for the spread of
wildfires. Additional Rangeland Fire Danger Statements are likely
through much of this week and into early next week as the weather
pattern remains stagnant. Residents are urged to extra care to
prevent the ignition and spread of wildfires.

&&

.CLIMATE...
Issued at 323 AM CDT Tue Aug 1 2023

(Record Highs/Year Reached)

        8/01      8/02      8/03      8/04
AUS   105/2011  106/2011  105/2011  105/2011
ATT   107/2011  107/2011  107/1923  107/2011
SAT   103/2013  103/2011  103/2022  103/2022
DRT   106/2012  106/2012  106/1996  105/2022

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Austin Camp Mabry              79 105  78 104 /   0   0   0   0
Austin Bergstrom Intl Airport  77 103  77 102 /  10   0   0   0
New Braunfels Muni Airport     77 102  75 102 /  20   0   0   0
Burnet Muni Airport            78 103  77 102 /   0   0   0   0
Del Rio Intl Airport           80 105  80 103 /   0   0   0   0
Georgetown Muni Airport        79 104  77 103 /   0   0   0   0
Hondo Muni Airport             75 102  74 102 /   0   0   0   0
San Marcos Muni Airport        75 103  76 103 /  20   0   0   0
La Grange - Fayette Regional   76 103  77 103 /  10  10   0  10
San Antonio Intl Airport       77 102  77 102 /  20   0   0   0
Stinson Muni Airport           77 103  78 103 /  20   0   0   0

&&

.EWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Excessive Heat Warning until 9 PM CDT Wednesday for Bastrop-Burnet-
Fayette-Lee-Llano-Travis-Williamson.

Heat Advisory until 9 PM CDT Wednesday for Atascosa-Bandera-Bexar-
Blanco-Caldwell-Comal-De Witt-Frio-Gillespie-Gonzales-Guadalupe-
Hays-Karnes-Kendall-Kerr-Lavaca-Medina-Wilson.

&&

Short-Term...KCW
Long-Term...Brady
Aviation...KCW
Fire Weather...Brady

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 1, 2:33 AM CST, 12 hours 27 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
333 AM CDT Tue Aug 1 2023

TXZ171>173-183>194-202>209-217>225-228-020900-
Llano-Burnet-Williamson-Val Verde-Edwards-Real-Kerr-Bandera-
Gillespie-Kendall-Blanco-Hays-Travis-Bastrop-Lee-Kinney-Uvalde-
Medina-Bexar-Comal-Guadalupe-Caldwell-Fayette-Maverick-Zavala-
Frio-Atascosa-Wilson-Karnes-Gonzales-De Witt-Lavaca-Dimmit-
333 AM CDT Tue Aug 1 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for South-Central Texas..

.DAY ONE...Today And Tonight.

Dangerously hot afternoon into early evening temperatures and
heat index values are expected across South Central Texas.
Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are in effect for
eastern portions of South Central Texas until 9 PM CDT.

Additionally, elevated to near critical fire weather conditions
are expected across all of South Central Texas this afternoon and
evening. The combination of hot temperatures, low afternoon
humidities, and occasionally breezy winds continue to promote
drying of fuels.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Elevated afternoon into early evening temperatures and heat index
values are expected through the next week across South Central
Texas. Additional Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories will
likely be needed for portions of the region during this time.
There remains a risk for heat related illnesses for those spending
extended time outdoors and not taking proper precautions.

Elevated to near critical fire weather conditions are possible
each day across most of South Central Texas. The combination of
hot temperatures, low afternoon humidities, and occasionally
breezy winds continue to promote drying of fuels.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

18 excessive heat. Local standard time, as filed.

Excessive Heat, Blanco

When: August 1, 3:00 PM CST to August 27, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Blanco forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 30.266, -98.400 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Caldwell

When: August 1, 3:00 PM CST to August 31, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Caldwell forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 29.837, -97.620 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Comal

When: August 1, 3:00 PM CST to August 28, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Comal forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 29.808, -98.278 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, De Witt

When: August 1, 3:00 PM CST to August 29, 9:00 PM CST
Where: De Witt forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 29.082, -97.357 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Guadalupe

When: August 1, 3:00 PM CST to August 28, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Guadalupe forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 29.583, -97.949 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Lavaca

When: August 1, 3:00 PM CST to August 27, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Lavaca forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 29.384, -96.930 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Llano

When: August 1, 3:00 PM CST to August 27, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Llano forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 30.706, -98.684 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Travis

When: August 1, 3:00 PM CST to August 28, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Travis forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 30.335, -97.782 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Bastrop

When: August 2, 3:00 PM CST to August 28, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Bastrop forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 30.104, -97.312 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Atascosa

When: August 4, 3:00 PM CST to August 27, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Atascosa forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 28.894, -98.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Bexar

When: August 4, 3:00 PM CST to August 27, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Bexar forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 29.449, -98.520 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Hays

When: August 4, 3:00 PM CST to August 27, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Hays forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 30.058, -98.031 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Karnes

When: August 4, 3:00 PM CST to August 28, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Karnes forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 28.906, -97.859 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Medina

When: August 4, 3:00 PM CST to August 27, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Medina forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 29.356, -99.110 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Wilson

When: August 4, 3:00 PM CST to August 27, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Wilson forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 29.174, -98.087 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Bandera

When: August 5, 3:00 PM CST to August 28, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Bandera forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 29.747, -99.246 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Burnet

When: August 5, 3:00 PM CST to August 27, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Burnet forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 30.788, -98.182 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Excessive Heat, Gonzales

When: August 5, 3:00 PM CST to August 28, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Gonzales forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 29.457, -97.492 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Excessive Heat: Heat at or above the local excessive heat warning criteria, or heat that caused deaths.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Texas, August 2023

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1134108, 1134111, 1134113, 1134114, 1134117, 1134120, 1134121, 1134124, 1134106, 1134103, 1134107, 1134118, 1134119, 1134122, 1134125, 1134105, 1134110, 1134116.