Posted: Tue, 7 Jun 2011 10:28 AM - 10,070 Readers
By: Isadora Vail
Summer hasn't officially started yet, despite what the thermometer says.
Austin has already hit triple-digit temperatures five times this year, and meteorologists say that is a good indicator of what the next several months could bring.
With temperatures breaking records in the last few weeks of spring, meteorologists predict a near-repeat of the summer of 2009, when Central Texas had 68 days of 100-degree weather, one day short of the all-time record. Last year, temperatures hit triple digits 19 times.
Monday was the hottest day of the year, with temperatures climbing to 103, a number that most Austin residents aren't used to seeing until July. Houston hit a record high of 105 Sunday, where it's never been so hot this early in the year.
In 2009, the first day of 100-degree weather in Austin was June 15; this year, we first hit 100 on May 25.
Along with the record heat, Austin has seen only 6 inches of rain this year, about 9 inches below the average.
John Nielson-Gammon, the state climatologist and a professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University, said the state is experiencing the third-worst drought ever for this time of year.
He said the main cause is La Niña, a phenomenon that typically means less rain and warmer winters across the southwestern United States. He said the lack of rain has made the ground drier and, in turn, the air warmer.
"This summer very well may parallel that summer of 2009 in the sense that some parts of the state could see relief from the drought and other parts may not," Nielson-Gammon said. "We'll see statewide water restrictions, and while there is the possibility of rainfall from hurricanes, there's nothing promising on the short-term horizon."
The U.S. Drought Monitor map released last month showed 47.5 percent of the state in exceptional drought.
Electric demand peaked at 2,158 megawatts Saturday and 2,148 megawatts Sunday — virtually tying the highest demand Austin Energy has seen for this time of year. The city set the record in 2008, when demand peaked at 2,159 on the first weekend in June.
Water usage has been average this year, despite the early heat, Austin Water Utility spokesman Jason Hill said.
"Our customers have been so consistent throughout these last few weeks in water conservation," Hill said. "Austin is definitely stepping up to the plate during this drought, and if we can continue to roll with the punches, then we can probably come out better than we did the last drought."
He said that during that drought in 2009, the city had to implement Stage 2 water restrictions, which further restricted lawn watering, vehicle washing and irrigation systems. The city remains under Stage 1 water restrictions, which limit only outdoor watering to twice a week. Residents can check for drought information online at www.waterwiseaustin.com.
The city used about 180 million gallons of water each day this weekend, which is average, Hill said. When water usage gets up around 250 million gallons, or when lake levels fall, the city looks at implementing the Stage 2 water restrictions.
As in 2009, levels in Lakes Travis and Buchanan have been lower than normal, said Bob Rose, meteorologist with the Lower Colorado River Authority. Travis is about 20 feet below average, and Buchanan is about 11 feet below.
"We are starting to approach record low territory, but we are still nowhere near the 2009 levels," Rose said. "We are asking people to use water wisely, and hopefully, we'll get through this terrible summer."
A "terrible summer" that doesn't officially begin for another two weeks.
