Heat — Coastal Kenedy, Texas

2023-06-25 · Coastal Kenedy, Texas

Event narrative

The Cameron County Airport ASOS reported a heat index of 111 by approximately 1:30 PM CDT, with 111 or higher values persisting until approximately 3:30 PM CDT on June 25th. By proxy, these values likely extended northward near the coast of Kenedy County. In addition, the inland Texas Water Development Board Mesonet site in Sarita recorded more than three hours of heat index of 111 or higher between 150 and 410 PM CDT; times were adjusted for Coastal Kenedy as a best-guess interpolation.

Wider weather episode

The combination of hot to very hot temperatures and high humidity combined to lead to heat criteria across much of the Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas in the later stages of June as a stubborn mid-level area of high pressure refused to let up. For the Rio Grande Valley overall in June, emergency room hospitalizations were up 11 to 18 percent from June 2022 due to heat-related illnesses and incidents. Detailed information on heat-related illnesses (actual numbers of injuries or fatalities) was not known as of the end of August.

There was one known indirect fatality in Cameron County on June 25th, according to one of the hospital systems that serve the area.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1117115. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.