As a born and raised Houstonian, I am not a stranger to Houston’s increasingly erratic and severe weather patterns. The city’s weather has experienced an extreme temperature shift within the last few years, with Houstonians experiencing more extreme temperatures than average temperatures. 

Houston has a history of having hot and humid summers, the temperatures usually rising past the 90s (Fahrenheit) with the occasional thunderstorm providing temporary relief from the sweltering heat. However, this predictable pattern has begun a dramatic shift with Houston experiencing some of the highest temperatures on record.

In 2023, the highest temperature recorded in Houston was 109F. 2023 was also the hottest summer on record since the 1850s. There are many reasons for the excessive heating of the planet from climate change to El Nino climate patterns.

The urbanization of Houston and it’s growth as a concrete jungle has also led to a lack of green areas, reflecting heat off of its infrastructure and reducing the land’s natural ability to absorb rainwater, leading to excessive flooding. 

Why is knowing this information important?

• Extreme heat can increase the risk of underlying illnesses through heat stress.
• Heat stress can cause heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps.
• Extreme heat waves may trigger public health emergencies, disrupt healthcare facilities, cause power outages and negatively impact city infrastructure.
• An increase in flooding has occurred in the past years, negatively affecting the city’s infrastructure.
• Extreme heat can also cause droughts and wildfires.

What can we do about it?

On a global scale, there have been some mitigation efforts to combat climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Spreading awareness through campaigns and educating residents on how to stay safe during either extreme weather events will lower the amount of people negatively affected by the climate. In retrospect, Houston must invest in strengthening the infrastructure to manage both extreme heat waves and excessive rainfall that causes flooding.

As the world’s climate begins to change, Houston and many other cities are navigating these new challenges by creating adaptive strategies to combat the erratic weather in an attempt to protect infrastructure and the residents.