Heat — Brooks, Texas

2023-09-24 · Brooks, Texas

Event narrative

The Automated Weather Observation Station near Falfurrias (Brooks County) recorded near two hours of heat index values at or above 111 degrees, including 1 hour between 113 and 117 degrees. It is assumed by proxy with observations in northern Kenedy County and at Kingsville Naval Air Station (Kleberg) that locations in eastern Brooks likely reached or exceeded 111 for 2 or more hours; hence the 2.5 hour estimated period of high heat index values. Mid to late afternoon east-southeast flow off of the very warm Gulf and Laguna Madre likely fed the spike in heat index. This was the hottest-feeling day of the late September period.

Wider weather episode

The unrelenting pattern known as 'La Canicula' (the Dog Days of Summer) produced a final round of excessive heat just after astronomical summer (which ended on September 22) of 2023. Afternoon heat index values reached or exceeded 111 for several hours in these areas, and ambient temperatures were at or just below 100 degrees during the period.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1142692. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.