Hierophany

The temperature climbed as high as 106 degrees Fahrenheit today in Austin, TX. This was a record high for a September 26 in Austin. The previous record was 9 degrees, set in 1923. The record temperatures are partially a result of Austin's position in the wake of Rita. There is "return flow" from the gulf that is swamping Austin in what I figure is more or less "old air." This continues the tease that Hurricane Rita has proven herself to be, at least in Austin, TX. I mean no flippancy to those who suffered from Rita. But 106 degrees on September 26 is unfathomably hot. It was 91% humidity at 7:24 this morning. I recorded a low temperature of 69 degrees, this morning around seven. The highest low for Austin on a September 26 is 79 degrees, in 1977.

For a chart of these records, check out the NOAA page.

The special weather statement for Austin is listed on Austin's K-EYE news wesbite, a CBS outlet.

I also want to point out that it hasn't rained but once in Austin since I moved back down here on August 27, 2005. People who went to the Austin City Limits Music Festival this last weekend said it was like the dust bowl. One guy said he couldn't sleep, for the dust in his nose wouldn't let him breathe. He was waking up at 3 in the morning to shoot dustballs out of his nose. Nasty.