Peculiarities of the Brownsville Climate

[ahosey01]

Since moving here about a year ago, I have really paid close attention to the way that things here are climactically, and I have found things interesting.

First - this may be one of Earth's wildest climates in terms of extreme temperature swings when the cold fronts make their way down off the plains.  It is the only place that I have been able to find where even the hardier natives are frozen to the ground with some regularity (every 50-100 years).  Presumably this could also be true in central FL but I haven't found any conclusive proof that it has happened.  Would love to hear from some people who have been there for decades.  This includes Lucaena pulvirulenta and Cordia boissieri.  Some more tender natives, like Solanum erianthum, freeze to the ground every few years.

Second - this is one of the hottest (on average) places in the country.  Average winter temperature in January (the coldest month) is right around 63F, which in line with Tampa, FL January average temps.  Average temps are even higher here than Phoenix, AZ in May and October.  August median temperature is right around 87.

Third - this is one of the most humid places in the country as well, despite receiving comparatively little rainfall (although this varies wildly).  Because of our influence from both the west and the gulf, we have had years of rainfall as little as 9" (an average Phoenix year) or as much as 60" (an average year in Homestead, FL).  Average, however, is approximately 25-27", which is enough to keep us out of a semi-arid climate classification, but is comparable to many monsoonal climates in the Sahel.  Despite this, our average relative humidity is approximately 75-76%, compared to 73% in Miami.

Fourth - heat and peak temperatures.  We have seen 95F in every month of the year, and 100F in 7 of them.  Peculiarly, the two hottest all-time temps were recorded in March and August, the only warm US city I can find with comparable March and August peaks.

Absolutely fascinating place.  Glad I came here and it's making me interested in the weather.