HOUSTON, Texas  (KIAH)  -- Southeast Texas experienced an unusually warm December, with only four days recording below-average temperatures. The persistent warmth throughout the month contributed to what has been one of the hottest years on record for the region. In cities like Houston and Beaumont, high temperatures consistently exceeded seasonal norms, with several days reaching the 80s°F. This trend mirrors a broader pattern of rising temperatures across Texas and the southern United States. Meteorologists attribute the unseasonable warmth to a combination of high-pressure systems and Gulf moisture, which acted as a barrier to cold fronts that typically bring cooler air to the region during December. The warmth is not only notable for its consistency but also as part of a larger trend: 2024 is shaping up to be one of the top five warmest years on record for Texas, as confirmed by NOAA's climate data. Experts warn that this ongoing warmth may have implications for energy use, agriculture, and ecosystems, as Southeast Texas prepares for potentially hotter years ahead.