Overview

• Temperatures across central and south Texas have surged above 100°F, with some areas nearing 110°F, shattering daily May records in cities like San Antonio and Austin.
• The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for millions, warning of heightened risks of heat-related illnesses, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children.
• This early-season heat wave is driven by a high-pressure ridge, or heat dome, trapping hot air over the region and is expected to persist through the week and possibly beyond.
• Climate change has amplified the intensity and likelihood of such extreme heat events, with researchers noting this week’s temperatures are significantly more probable due to human-caused warming.
• The unseasonal heat is straining infrastructure and increasing concerns over energy demand, with Texas’ independent power grid under pressure to meet cooling needs.