The first 90 degree day at many locations over South Central Texas began with a slow start in 2004. Higher than normal soil moisture associated with winter and early spring rains, more mostly cloudy days than usual, and a few late season strong cold fronts in the Spring, helped to delay the onset of the 1st 90 Degree Day this year. For Del Rio, the latest first 90 Degree Day of record came May 22, 2004. The previous record latest first 90 Degree Day at Del Rio was May 18, 1931, when the high was 90. A few days in March of 2004 saw highs at most locations rise to the 80s, except for Uvalde, where it was 90 on March 7, 2004. Uvalde was the first place in South Central Texas to see a 90 Degree Day in 2004.

The information below lists some statistics on the earliest and latest, first 90 Degree Days of Climate Record, and also for the 30 Year Period from 1971 to 2000. The first 90 Degree day for a calendar year and also the first 90 Degree day for a Winter-Spring cycle, beginning on December 21st, is listed.

Austin:


Average First 90 Degree Day 1898 to 2004: April 19th
Average First 90 Degree Day 1971 to 2000: April 9th

Average High on the first 90 Degree Day 1898 to 2004: 91.1
Average High on the first 90 Degree Day 1971 to 2000: 91.1

Earliest 90 Degree Day in a Calendar Year:  90 on January 30, 1971
Earliest 90 Degree Day for a Winter-Spring Cycle:  90 on December 25, 1955

Latest First 90 Degree Day: 91 on June 29, 1907

First 90 Degree Day in 2004: 91 on May 25
Last time this occurred in late May was in 1979, when the
first 90 Degree Day was 90 on May 30th, 1979.


Del Rio:


Average First 90 Degree Day 1906 to 2004: March 22nd
Average First 90 Degree Day 1971 to 2000: March 22nd

Average High on the first 90 Degree Day 1906 to 2004: 91.7

Earliest 90 Degree Day in a Calendar Year: 90 on January 19, 2000
Earliest 90 Degree Day in a Winter-Spring Cycle: 90 on January 19, 2000

Latest First 90 Degree Day: 91 on May 22 2004

First 90 Degree Day in 2004: 91 on May 22. This was the latest of record.
Last time it was nearly this late was May 14, 1987,
when the high was 90, and May 16, 1981, when the
high was 93.


San Antonio:


Average First 90 Degree Day 1885 to 2004: April 9th 
Average First 90 Degree Day 1971 to 2000: April 8th 

Average High on the first 90 Degree Day 1885 to 2004: 91.4

Earliest 90 Degree Day in a Calendar Year: 91 on February 9, 1962
Earliest 90 Degree Day in a Winter-Spring Cycle: 90 on December 25, 1955

Latest First 90 Degree Day: 91 on June 8, 1885 and 90 June 8, 1957

First 90 Degree Day in 2004: 90 on May 27
Last time this occurred in late May was in 1979, when the high
was 91 on May 30, 1979.