West Texas logs 108 straight 90-degree days as record heat drives up cooling bills

After over 100 straight days of afternoon highs that reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit, El Paso cooling bills rose with the heat.

Here's what to know

According to El Paso Matters, no previous stretch had matched this run of 108 consecutive 90-degree days — which had not happened in over 140 years of weather records. June 5 was the last time El Paso stayed below 90 degrees, and 50 days since then hit at least 100.

From June 22 to Monday, the average high was 98.7 degrees — the third-highest for those dates on record, El Paso Matters reported. Heat lingered after sunset as well, with an average overnight low of 74 degrees — the fourth-highest.

For residents, that kind of prolonged heat means higher cooling bills, greater health risks, and added strain on daily life.

Forecasts predicted Tuesday — the first day of fall — would end the streak, with a projected high of 88 degrees and possible heavy rain Tuesday and Wednesday.

More background

When temperatures stay high for months, air conditioners have to run longer and more often, driving up utility costs for households.

Extreme heat also poses serious health risks. Long stretches of hot days — especially when nights remain warm — can increase the likelihood of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration and worsen symptoms for people with heart or respiratory conditions.

Older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and people without dependable cooling are often among the most vulnerable.

Worsening extreme weather can also threaten both lives and livelihoods. Prolonged heat can reduce productivity, strain power systems, increase household expenses, and put workers in danger. 

So far, 2026 is shaping up to be El Paso's hottest year on record — 0.4 degrees warmer than any previous year, the outlet noted.

Where can I learn more?

These stories dig more into how extreme Texas heat has strained power systems and raised risks for residents in recent years.

• Extraordinary heat pushed the power grid to the brink during early-season scorching.

• Renewables have softened the blow as electricity demand surges.

• Unrelenting heat baked communities with near triple-digit temperatures.

• People without power suffered as another punishing heat wave took hold.

• In Austin, a 118-degree heat index tied an all-time record.

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