A Sun City scorcher: Triple-digit weather comes early in 2022 as El Paso hits 101 degrees

Martha Pskowski, El Paso Times
·2 min read

El Paso's first 100-degree day came early this year.

At 3:08 p.m. Monday, the weather station at the El Paso International Airport recorded 101 degrees, a new record high for May 16, beating the previous high of 98 degrees set in 2018.

The early triple-degree weather fits a pattern of warming temperatures in El Paso caused by climate change.

Dating back to when official record keeping began in 1887, the average starting date for 100-degree weather in El Paso is June 13. According to the National Weather Service, the earliest 100-degree day on record is May 7, 2020.

A report from a state climatologist published in 2021 predicted that by 2036 the number of 100-degree days in Texas would nearly double compared with 2001-2020.

More: State climatologist: El Paso can expect more extreme heat, 100 degree days to double by 2036

The nonprofit Climate Central found average spring temperatures in El Paso have increased by 5.9 degrees since 1970.

Michelle Jaquez from 703 Sabroso Shop prepares a limonada for a customer on a hot day in Downtown El Paso on Tuesday.
Michelle Jaquez from 703 Sabroso Shop prepares a limonada for a customer on a hot day in Downtown El Paso on Tuesday.

Spring temperatures are increasing the most in the Southwest. Climate Central analyzed temperature trends in 234 cities around the United States and found that the average temperature increase in El Paso trailed only Reno, Nevada, and Las Vegas for the highest nationwide.

Average temperatures during March, April and May have increased by 5.9 degrees in El Paso between 1970 and 2021.
Average temperatures during March, April and May have increased by 5.9 degrees in El Paso between 1970 and 2021.

The monsoon season might bring some relief from scorching temperatures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's outlook forecasts above-average temperatures to persist across the Southwest during the rest of May, June and July.

More: Environmentalists say El Paso can lead on climate change with city charter on November ballot

The seasonal outlook for May, June and July forecasts above normal temperatures in the Southwest to continue.
The seasonal outlook for May, June and July forecasts above normal temperatures in the Southwest to continue.

The Environmental Protection Agency considers extreme heat the leading weather-related killer in the United States. The elderly, children and people who work outdoors are especially vulnerable.

El Paso's Emergency Weather Task Force provides fans to people who do not have adequate air conditioning. The city of El Paso also opens cooling centers during extreme heat warnings, which have yet to go into effect.

Call 211 to request or donate a fan. The city of El Paso offers more tips to stay safe during extreme heat online at https://bit.ly/3wjYK19.

More: How solar is the Sun City? El Paso trails southwest cities in solar power, ranks second in Texas

Staff writer Martha Pskowski may be reached at mpskowski@elpasotimes.com and @psskow on Twitter.

El Pasoans use umbrellas to block the hot sun while shopping in Downtown El Paso on Tuesday.
El Pasoans use umbrellas to block the hot sun while shopping in Downtown El Paso on Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Triple-digit weather comes early in 2022; El Paso hits 101