Texas Climate Report Examines Drought Heat And Severe Weather Trends

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (LAAN 54) — A new assessment of Texas climate data argues that recent drought and heat conditions should be viewed against the state’s longer weather history rather than solely through the lens of an intensifying climate crisis.

The Texas State Climate Assessment, released through The Heartland Institute’s ClimateAtAGlance project, uses data from NOAA, USDA and other federal sources covering more than a century.

The assessment says the number of Texas days reaching 100 degrees or higher has not shown a sustained increase and is slightly lower than during parts of the 1920s through the 1950s.

It also says Texas’ recent droughts fall within historical ranges and notes that the state’s most severe long-term drought in the modern record occurred during the 1950s.

The report says federal data show no increasing trend in Texas hurricane or tornado frequency and no increase in the number or severity of wildfires since 2006.

Agriculture is another major focus. According to the assessment, Texas cotton yields per acre have risen 168% since 1900, while corn yields have risen 575%.

The findings reflect The Heartland Institute’s position in the broader climate debate and do not represent a consensus scientific assessment.