The Impact of Climate Change on Extreme Heat in Texas and Mexico

(CNN) — A new analysis conducted by the research group Climate Central reveals that human-induced climate change has drastically increased the likelihood of near-record temperatures occurring in significant areas of Texas and Mexico.

A week-long spell of intense heat is predicted for vast regions spanning from Central America to the southern United States. Major cities in Texas and Mexico are expected to reach temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius from Thursday to Monday. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) warns that Texas might break or equal its daily maximum temperature records throughout the upcoming week.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued heat advisories for southern Texas and even portions of southern Louisiana for Thursday. On this day, the heat index could surpass 43 degrees Celsius.

“The heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, combines air temperature with relative humidity to determine the perceived temperature experienced by the human body. This is crucial to consider for human comfort,” emphasizes NWS.

• What Is Causing the Intense Heat Wave in Mexico?

ERCOT, the power company in Texas, has already issued a warning about high power demand in the coming days and urges residents to prepare for potential blackouts.

The researchers at Climate Central employ a tool that examines historical temperature data in the region, starting from the pre-climate change era until the present day. This scientific method, called attribution, assesses climate data and models to determine whether extreme weather events have intensified or are more likely due to human-induced climate change.

Utilizing the Climate Change Index, Climate Central’s researchers demonstrate how climate change influences daily weather in specific locations. They have also observed significant increases in daily temperatures across various cities in Texas: Austin now experiences 53 more days of high heat risk per year compared to 1970, while Houston and McAllen encounter approximately 52 additional days of extreme heat risk as compared to 1970.