Heat — Inland Kenedy County, Texas

2024-05-26 · Inland Kenedy County, Texas

Event narrative

The Texas Mesonet site at Sarita recorded nearly four hours with heat index values betwee 111 and 115, with a single peak at 116 at 420 PM CDT. By proxy with the Texas Agriscience Center Mesonet along the western Willacy County line, which had less than an hour of excessive heat values (116) and the west-central Kleberg County site (west of Kingsville) havine about the same amount of time at 116-117, it is inferred that heat is the most appropriate category for this date.

Wider weather episode

A slightly stronger sub-tropical ridge/heat dome centered over central and southern Mexico returned northward towards the Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas. At five thousand feet above ground, the temperature soared anywhere from 78 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which translated into another short-lived but intense heat wave over the region with surface temperatures rising into the upper 90s to mid 100s from May 26-30. The combination of heat and dewpoint temperatures well into the 70s to around 80, heat indices ranged between a sweltering 111F-126F across parts of Deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. The hottest temperatures were once again located from the mid-lower Rio Grande Valley northward along I-69E and I-69C; several hours with values of 116 or higher - considered Excessive Heat - were noted each day in many parts of the region.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1189320. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.