Austin, Texas just hit 100 degrees today (according to
weather.com). This is our 25th day of 100 degree weather this
year. That pales in comparison to 2011, where at this time last
year we were counting down to breaking the previous record of 69
days of 100 degree days set back in 1925. Austin did that and
more, setting a new record of 90 days of 100 degree days in a
single year a month and a half later. Nevertheless, this year is
still above our average of 13.5 days of 100 degree weather, but
to the north of Texas, the midsection of the country is
experiencing drought and heat waves comparable to ours of 2011.
That being said, weather forecasters are seeing the development
of a moderate El Nino which could bring enough rain to Texas
this winter to break our drought. We can only hope that it is
not a strong El Nino like the one that hit in 1997 and 1998
which brought major flooding to the state. These feast or famine
swings of weather are taking their toll on many things in this
state - our agriculture, econo