THOUGHTS ON 100° DAYS IN THE BRAZOS VALLEY.....

It's funny when you think about it. We came up with a contest at KAGS-HD where if Easterwood Airport hits 100° for the first time, I will come to your house, and mow your lawn, along with additional various prizes. However, we have passed the month of June, July, and most of August without getting close. The highest temperature reported at Easterwood this year is 97° this year. That's it! Just for your information, the last time Easterwood failed to hit 100° or higher in an entire year, was back in 2004. Yes, it has happened before. We do average 10 days with 100° air, so its bound to happen....we think.

There have been several locations around Bryan and College Station that have reached 100° a handful of times, but many inhibiting factors have lead to our "cooler" than average Summer thus far. One big element has been timely rain to lower temperatures significantly. In the month of July, over 6 inches of rain fell. For July, that does not happen often.

Additionally, our wind direction have been primarily from two different origins. Either from the north, or more frequently, the south.

A north wind will not only suppress the humidity, but also take the temperatures down a notch or two during the Summer. On the flip side, a south wind allows the flood gates to open from the Gulf of Mexico and pumping up our atmosphere with much more moisture. Additionally moisture (or humidity) in the air makes it tough for the air to heat up quickly and intensely. Therefore, the more humidity in the air, the harder it is for extremely high temperatures.

There are many other atmopsheric dynamic that can help contribute to a 100°, but one of the more reliable ways is a different wind direction. A southwest wind.

I cannot remember a day this Summer, where a broad southwest wind was pushing into the Brazos Valley. The reason why this is crucial, is because this wind direction leads to drier, and much hotter air. From the southwest, wind slopes down the tall mountains over Mexico and blows into Texas. As air sinks, it expands, dries, and heats quickly. For the entire Brazos Valley to have the best chance for widespread 100°+ air, a southwest wind needs to be in place. However, I do see this happening over the next 7-10 days. Yes, it will still be hot, but not 100°.  

“Take a look up once in a while; you never know what you’ll miss.”

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