Blazing In Texas, Polar Up North. Plus, 2011 9th Warmest on Record, Globally

Sunshine that broke out this afternoon along with a swift southwest wind, boosted temperatures well into the 70s. Several locations in central and south Texas climbed into the 80s. A hot one indeed, and the heat is not really going any where anytime soon. There will be a few weak cold fronts that slide in, but temperatures will remain well above average.

Notice the temperatures across the Lone Star State from earlier this afternoon:

Hottest air today extended from Laredo to Killeen. Though the heat here is a big headline, colder air is not too far away. 50s in Oklahoma is not too shabby, but glance farther north.

Not only are is the actual air temperature below zero in several communities around the Dakotas, wind chills are much colder. Winds blowing near 80mph at times drove wind chills in the Northern Plains 30 to 40 degrees below 0.

Between the cold and warm air lies the jet stream.

Due to the flat orientation of the jet, the core of the cold air will stay locked up to the north of us. If there were a large dip into Texas, then the gates of the Arctic would open up. For right now, this is how the jet will stay, allowing warm air to stick around.

However, long term computer models are suggesting that a closed low (or a low-pressure system that is not connected to the jet stream) will develop in Northern Mexico and produce significant rain here Tuesday until early Thursday. Still to early to call, but we will keep our eyes on this development in the KAGS-HD Weather Center.

Aside from the rain, the heat has been the main headline here. Not only in Texas, but all across the world. NASA recently analyzed all the data from 2011 and has officially noted that last year was the 9th warmest year on record globally. To read this article click here.

Know that records have only been kept since 1880, so this only reflects the past 131 years of data. The Earth is much older then that, but the more data we can get, the better we can understand the worlds climate and cycles. Furthermore, NASA indicates that since 2000, nine of the ten warmest years have occurred since records have been kept. Staggering numbers! Plus, concentration of carbon-dioxide levels continue to rise.

Climatology and Meteorology are sciences that continue to strive in understanding the overall picture. Despite our eyes and hears focusing on "records," improvements are being made because these fields are not perfect. Every time data is recorded, questions begin to be answered. We are a long way from knowing actual long term facts, but everyday we work on the challenges, the solutions get closer.