Abilene’s Longest 100-Degree Heat Streak Could Be Broken Today

UPDATE: As of September 1st, 2026, Abilene has now tied the record for consecutive 100-degree or higher temperatures held since 1952. With today's temperature forecast to be near 100, that record could be broken.

Original Story:

If you think this West Texas heat has been disrespectful lately, let me introduce you to the summer of 1952, when Mother Nature apparently set the thermostat to “Satan’s air fryer” and then left town.

According to the National Weather Service in San Angelo, Abilene’s record for the most consecutive days at or above 100 degrees is a blistering 30 straight days. Not to be gross, but I don’t think hygiene was what it is so I imagine some dankness going on in the 50s.

Get our free mobile app

Abilene’s Hottest Streak Lasted an Entire Month

bestdesigns

The record-breaking streak began on August 3, 1952, and continued through September 1. That’s an entire month of triple-digit temperatures without one measly 99-degree afternoon to give everybody a break.

And this was 1952. Most people weren’t retreating into beautifully air-conditioned homes, streaming Netflix and complaining about the electric bill. They were sitting in front of a fan, drinking iced tea and reconsidering every decision that brought them to West Texas.

Abilene came close a couple of other times, recording 21 consecutive 100-degree days in both 1953 and 1978. More recently, the infamous summer of 2011 produced an 18-day streak.

The Summer of 2011 Still Holds Another Heat Record

Photo: TSM Abilene/Canva

While 1952 owns the consecutive-days record, 2011 holds Abilene’s record for the most total 100-degree days in one year with 81.

That’s not a summer. That’s a full-blown hostage situation and completely disrespectful.

SEE MORE: Here Are Where Abilene Cooling Centers Are Located 

The official numbers come from the National Weather Service’s Abilene climate records. Abilene’s overall temperature records date back to 1886, while its consecutive triple-digit streak statistics begin in 1937.

So the next time we hit 100 degrees for several days in a row, remember: it’s miserable, but until we reach day 30, 1952 is still sitting on the throne wearing oven mitts.