La Puerta, Laredo and Cotulla Blaze Past 100° as South Texas Flirts With All-Time Winter Heat Record at 104°
TEXAS — South Texas experienced extraordinary heat Thursday afternoon, with multiple communities soaring past the 100-degree mark — and one location potentially tying an all-time United States winter heat record.
Observed highs across deep South Texas show widespread triple-digit temperatures, including:
- Laredo – 103°
- Cotulla – 103°
- Zapata – 103°
- Hebbronville – 100°
- Carrizo Springs – 100°
- Falfurrias – 101°
Meanwhile, San Antonio reached 95°, Corpus Christi hit 95°, and Victoria climbed to 89°.
But the most eye-catching number came from La Puerta, Texas, where a reported high of 104° — if confirmed — would tie the hottest all-time temperature ever recorded in the United States during the winter months.
Triple-Digit Heat in February
Reaching 100 degrees in late February is rare even for South Texas, but pushing into the 103°–104° range is extraordinary.
The hottest core of this heat surge focused on the Rio Grande region and surrounding communities, particularly:
- Laredo
- Cotulla
- Zapata
- Areas south of San Antonio
This kind of heat rivals peak summer conditions — not late winter climatology.
How Unusual Is 104° in Winter?
A 104-degree reading during meteorological winter (December–February) sits at the extreme edge of historical records.
If verified, the La Puerta reading would tie the highest winter temperature ever recorded in the United States, placing South Texas in record territory more typical of late June than February.
While official confirmation would require quality control and verification, the mere possibility underscores how intense this heat event has been.
Coastal vs. Inland Differences
The map highlights a sharp inland heat core compared to the coast:
- Corpus Christi – 95°
- Victoria – 89°
The Gulf breeze likely moderated temperatures slightly closer to the coast, while inland areas baked under dry, compressional heating and strong late-winter sun.
Why It Got So Hot
This extreme warmth likely developed under:
- Strong upper-level ridging
- Dry air allowing maximum daytime heating
- Downslope or compressional warming in South Texas
Combined, those ingredients can drive temperatures well beyond seasonal norms.
What This Means
Such intense winter heat raises several concerns:
- Increased fire weather risk
- Stress on livestock and agriculture
- Energy demand spikes
- Elevated drought impacts
Triple-digit temperatures in February also highlight the volatility of late-winter weather patterns in Texas.
Bottom Line
From Laredo to Cotulla and Zapata, South Texas surged into summer-like extremes Thursday — with La Puerta’s 104° reading potentially tying the hottest winter temperature ever recorded in the United States.
It was not just warm — it was historic-level heat for late February.
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