Heat wave in Texas is breaking records with no relief
- A scorching heat wave has shattered records in Texas.
- Temperatures in some locations reached 110 degrees.
- There’s no relief ahead, perhaps the Fourth of July holiday.
The Texas heat wave has already broken all-time record highs in a few locations and shows no sign of abating. The heat dome will also expand this weekend into next week.
A dangerous scorching heat wave began building northward out of Mexico last week, and turned to a higher level earlier this week.
(Current maps: Temperature | Heat index)
Below are the records that have been tied or set so far. Not only does this heatwave top records for a given calendar day, but it has rewritten the history books for all-time record temperatures in some locations where the weather has been monitored for more than 100 years.
– Del Rio, Texas, It rose to 115 degrees on Wednesdaysurpassing the previous record set on Tuesday, which was 113 degrees.
– San Angelo, Texas, first tied its all-time record on Monday (111 degrees), then broke it on Tuesday, reaching 114 degrees. It tied its new record of 114 degrees again on Wednesday.
– The temperature in Laredo, Texas, reached 115 degrees on Monday They linked their historical record For another three years.
It has arrived 119 degrees Friday in Rio Grande Village In Big Bend National Park. Not only were these the hottest temperatures in the country so far this year, according to weather historian Christopher Burt, but they surpassed the state record of 120 degrees.
Each of these cities was as hot or hotter than what Death Valley, California, had managed to record as of June 20. The maximum temperature in America has reached 113 degrees so far this season.
Although there is an unofficial record, Monday’s heat index of 125 degrees is believed to be the record The highest temperature index recorded is at Corpus Christi International Airportaccording to the National Meteorological Directorate.
Record numbers have also been set in parts of Mexico in recent days, including the city of… Monclova In the state of Coahuila, as well as in Chihuahua stateAccording to global temperature records expert Maximiliano Herrera.
Where heat alerts are in effect: The map below shows where high temperature watches, warnings and advisories issued by the National Weather Service are in effect.
These heat alerts are issued when the combination of heat and humidity poses a risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke for those who live outdoors for long periods of time or those who do not have access to air conditioning.
(more: What is the heat index?)
Here’s how the next few days will shape up: The heat wave will return to record territory this weekend, with triple-digit highs across much of Texas. Temperatures will rise further as we head into the middle of the week.
A heat dome, or ridge of high pressure, will extend into parts of the Southwest and lower Mississippi Valley, as well as a little farther north in the Southern Plains. Highs will extend into the mid 90s to upper 90s to low 100s from southern Arizona into New Mexico into Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
Extreme heat can continue until early July. Significant heat relief in the southern plains is usually difficult to achieve from this point forward in summer, unless the tropical system brings heavy rainfall.
The latest long-range forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that the heat is expected to persist over the Southern Plains, from New Mexico to Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma, through early July — and possibly including the Fourth of July holiday.
Long-term temperature forecast
(This forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center shows the odds that average temperatures will rise higher (tan, orange, and red lines) or lower (blue lines) in the given period.)
Here’s why it’s so hot: The dome of high pressure that has persisted for much of this month over Mexico has bulged northward into the southern Plains, spreading its intense heat.
According to an analysis by Climate Central, climate change has caused record high temperatures in this heat wave in Mexico and Texas At least five times more likely.
So, take this dangerous heat seriously if you live in the Southern Plains. Avoid any prolonged and unnecessary outdoor activity, especially during the hotter times of the day. Check on seniors and anyone else who may live without air conditioning.
More on Weather.COM:
The top weather killer in America is heat
Here are three signs of heat exhaustion
How to cool down quickly in dangerous heat
Five tips for saving energy during a heat wave
Temperature forecast from July to September
Jonathan Erdmann is a senior meteorologist at Weather.com, and has been an incurable weather geek ever since a tornado missed his childhood home in Wisconsin when he was seven years old. Twitter And Facebook.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment, and the importance of science in our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
