Houston 2023: A Scorcher of a Year, Literally
Howdy, heatstroke survivors and air conditioner enthusiasts! Buckle up, because we're taking a trip down memory lane (or should we say, memory MELTDOWN?) to the summer of 2023 in Houston. Let's just say, it was a doozy.
The Numbers Don't Lie (But They Might Make You Sweat)
We all remember the seemingly endless stretch of triple-digit days. But how many exactly did we endure? Brace yourselves folks, because this number is hotter than a jalapeno popper on the Fourth of July: Houston clocked in a scorching 45 days where the temperature soared above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in 2023! That's right, 45 days. Basically, for a month and a half, we collectively resembled rotisserie chickens.
Fun fact: This scorching summer almost tied the all-time record of 46 days set in 2011. We came this close (cue dramatic music) to being the undisputed champions of heatstroke central. (Participation trophy, anyone?)
A Summer of Sticky Situations (Literally)
Those 45 days weren't just a walk in the park (unless your park was an oven). Here's a glimpse into what it felt like:
- Sweat became a fashion statement. Who needs deodorant when you're basically a walking sprinkler, anyway?
- Cars turned into molten lava pits. Touching the steering wheel was like grabbing a branding iron.
- Air conditioners whimpered and threatened to go on strike. They worked overtime, heroes of the summer, keeping us from spontaneous combustion.
- The only things flourishing were popsicles and heatstroke worries.
A Tropical Storm Named Harold: Our Unsung Hero
Just when we thought we were about to shatter all the wrong records, along came Tropical Storm Harold. This tropical storm didn't bring much rain, but it did one glorious thing: it snapped a 23-day streak of 100-degree days! Thank you, Harold, wherever you are! Maybe we should send you a fruit basket (storms probably enjoy a good mango, right?)
Moral of the story: Even a wimpy tropical storm can be a hero in Houston.
So, What Does This Mean for 2024?
Well, that's the million-dollar question, folks. Will 2024 be another summer of fiery fury? Only time (and the weatherman) will tell. But one thing's for sure: We Houstonian survivors are a tough bunch. We can handle the heat, and we'll keep our sense of humor along the way. Just remember to stay hydrated, invest in a good sweatband, and maybe offer a prayer to the weather gods for a slightly less spicy summer.
Here's to hoping for a few more days where we don't feel like we're living on the surface of the sun! ☀️
