Everything is bigger in Texas, or so they say. That seems to be the case as residents of this area are waking up to day 348675 of a relentless heat wave.
Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration. However, the heat has been going on for quite some time throughout this area And no sign of giving up as we head into next week.
In fact, the consensus pattern is that the ridge in question will widen over the next week, allowing the dangerous heat to spread over a wider area.
In the animation above, we can clearly see triple-digit temperatures start to creep north and east as next week rolls around.
For those residing in this area, it may be time to start planning to stay cool. Make sure your air conditioning units are serviced and ready, take care when scheduling outdoor events, and make sure that any elderly or sick relatives/neighbors are prepared to endure the heat.
As residents of this area well know, this will not be a “dry” heat. Humidity will make you feel much warmer during the day and prevent adequate cooling at night, which can cause fatigue.
As seen in the 500 mb elevation animation, the ridge will also provide a path for the perturbations to move along. This will lead to a long weekend filled with extreme weather threats.
It starts with an event for the Central/Northern High Plains today, slides to the Mid/Upper Mississippi Valley on Saturday, targets the Ohio/Tennessee Valleys on Sunday, and ends in the Mid-Atlantic/Eastern on Monday.
As for threats, it will obviously vary from region to region based on local setup. However, it is likely that strong winds and heavy hail will be the main threats, although a tornado or two is also possible, albeit slightly more locally.
And, let’s not take the threat of lightning down lightly.
Hurricanes are not severe enough to turn deadly. If you’re outside enjoying the summer weather, remember that if you can hear thunder, you’re close enough to be struck by lightning. Go inside immediately.
If you’re dealing with the heat this week – keep calm! If hurricanes are the forecast for you – take note and stay safe! I’ll be on vacation through July 1, but you’re in good hands with Armando. Check out his blogs next week!
About the author
Meghan Gulledge
Meteorologist – ’22 Mississippi State Writer for Weather.us and Weathermodels.com. Focus on weather communication. BoyMom x1, CatMom x5. Twitter: @MegGulledgeWX
