Texas temperatures: Just how unusual are these temperatures in Texas?

2/16/21 7:00PM

The winter storm that has gripped Texas and much of the middle of the United States is truly a once-in-a-generation phenomenon. According to data from the National Weather Service, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has seen some of its lowest temperatures in almost a century as temperatures plummeted to around 4°F (-16°C). Indeed, you have to go all the way back to 1933, and before that 1905, for temperatures that got as low as they are now in the DFW area.

In Texas that weather has caused blackouts across the state with more than 4 million people having been left without power, and has caused at least 25 deaths. With the extreme weather set to last until the weekend, that number is sadly likely to rise.

Outside of Texas, an incredible 73% of the United States is now reportedly covered in snow, and more than 150 million Americans are under winter storm warnings. Stay safe and warm Chartr readers.

Jake Lahut

PAIN AT THE PUMP

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Gas station in front of the Gordie Howe International Bridge under construction.

Tom Jones14h

The UAE’s OPEC exit will hit the group in the barrels

After just shy of 60 years in OPEC, its membership even predating its status as a nation-state, the United Arab Emirates yesterday announced its shocking departure from the oil production group, effective May 1, as the knock-on effects of the Iran war continue to play out across the Middle East and the energy landscape.

For context, the UAE produces the third-highest amount of oil in the group, per April data and OPEC’s latest set of annual statistics.

According to the cartel’s 2025 Annual Statistical Bulletin, the OPEC group was collectively exporting some 19 million barrels of crude oil a day last year, with the United Arab Emirates accounting for some 14% of that daily output.

UAExit means UAExit

The nation, whose energy minister told Reuters yesterday that the decision was taken “after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production” and wasn’t made following discussions with any other country, made up a healthy share of the group’s total confirmed crude oil reserves, as well.

Of the 12 nations in the core group, which was founded by just five oil superpowers back in September 1960, only two (Iraq and Saudi Arabia) exported more barrels of crude oil daily, pumping out 3.36 million and 6.05 million barrels, respectively, each day to nations around the world.

For its part, the UAE said it will “continue its responsible role by gradually and thoughtfully increasing production, in line with demand and market conditions,” per the official state news agency. Clearly, the nation now wants a little more control of just how much oil it can pump around the world, with the UAE having to eat a large proportion of lost revenues due to its healthy abundance and OPEC restrictions.