And just like that, another year has come and gone!
South Central Texas experienced our share of weather events this year, including the March tornado outbreak and the West Texas earthquake that was felt all the way here in San Antonio in November.
However, it’s safe to say that our lack of rainfall and warmer-than-average temperatures were at the forefront of our local weather conditions this year, especially earlier this summer.
So as we get ready to flip the calendar over to 2023, let’s take a look back at the records we set this past year in San Antonio:
It’s no secret that 2022 wasn’t particularly kind to us in the rainfall department. Overall, San Antonio only officially picked up 11.51? of rain, making this year the second driest on record behind 1917 when only 10.11? was recorded.
Here’s a breakdown of much rainfall was observed each month:
This past summer brought hotter-than-average temperatures to South Central Texas, with a total number of 58 days where our high temperature reached 100? or higher.
That marks the second highest number of 100?+ days that we’ve seen in a given year, following 2009 when we had 59 triple digit days.
The number of 90?+ days found this year also claims a spot in the record books.
Overall, San Antonio officially recorded 155 days where our high temperature reached at least 90?.
This number ties 2011 for the highest number of 90?+ days on record in a given year.
In theme with those unseasonably warm temperatures, several months out of the year ended up snagging a spot for one of the warmest on record.
Here’s a breakdown of San Antonio’s temperatures over the past year:
Fun fact: The highest heat index value recorded in San Antonio this summer was 108? on July 12, and the lowest wind chill value recorded was 0? on Dec. 23.
The lack of rainfall and heat were big contributors to the drought conditions that we’ve experienced and still have in place across a good portion of South Central Texas heading into the new year.
The last drought monitor of 2022 for South Central Texas continues to show drought conditions across the majority of the area.
La Ni?a conditions are forecasted to persist through the winter months, meaning drier and warmer-than-average conditions will likely be found when we tally up the numbers at the end of February 2023. We’ll keep eyes on it!