The spell of relatively mild temperatures our area has been experiencing for the past week is quickly coming to an end. Monday’s low temperatures included the mid and upper 40s across the Hill Country, the upper 40s to mid-50s across Central Texas, and the upper 50s across the coastal plains. Going forward, we’ll likely not see this magnitude of cool air again until next fall as the summer weather pattern begins quite early this year.
It is shaping up to be a week of dangerous, record-breaking heat across all of Texas! A moderate to major risk of heat-related impacts will be in place throughout the week.
A summer-like ridge of high pressure, currently situated over Mexico and the eastern Pacific, is forecast to spread over Texas the next two to three days, causing the development of an early-season and near-historic heat wave. The Hill Country and the Austin/Central Texas regions will be looking at triple-digit temperatures beginning Tuesday, continuing through the upcoming weekend.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are predicted to be the hottest days of the week as the core of the ridge of high pressure spreads over Central Texas, bringing a mass of unusually hot air to the lower atmosphere. In addition, the West Texas dry line is forecast to push east past Intestate 35. Areas located to the west of Dry Line will likely see record-breaking temperatures all three days as dry and very hot air spreads east out of the deserts of Mexico. Temperatures are expected to tick down a couple of degrees Friday through Sunday as the center of the upper ridge shifts to the east. However, unusually hot temperatures (especially for May) look to continue through the weekend.
Temperature Forecast:
- High temperatures Tuesday are forecast to be near 102 degrees across the Hill Country and Central Texas regions, and in the low to mid-90s across the coastal plains
- High temperatures Wednesday are predicted to be near 105-107 degrees across the Hill Country and Central Texas, and in the mid-90s across the coastal area
- High temperatures Thursday are forecast to be near 100-102 degrees across the Hill Country and Central Texas, with mid-90s towards the coast
- High temperatures Friday through Sunday are predicted to be near 98-100 degrees across the Hill Country and Central Texas regions, and in the mid-90s coastal plains
- Low temperatures Wednesday through Sunday mornings will range from around 70 degrees across the Hill Country, to the mid-70s across the coastal plains
In anticipation of this week’s dangerously hot temperatures, the National Weather Service has posted a Heat Advisory for all of the Hill Country and Central Texas beginning 1 pm Tuesday, continuing through 9 pm Wednesday. The advisory may be extended through late week and possibly even into the weekend. This week’s unusually hot temperatures may cause heat-related illnesses, especially since most of us are not yet acclimated to the heat. It is advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors the next few days.
Sunny and dry weather is forecast through Friday. However, there will be a slight chance for a few isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms for locations along and west of Interstate 35 this weekend. Forecasts indicate a few isolated thunderstorms may develop along the dry line along the Rio Grande, and spread to the east. The chance for rain will be less than 20 percent.
Looking ahead to next week, mostly sunny and hot weather looks to continue as a weaker ridge of high pressure spreads over Texas. High temperatures are predicted to be in the mid and upper 90s, with lower 90s towards the coast. There will be a slight chance for rain showers and isolated thunderstorms throughout the week as the dry line remains active and southerly winds bring moisture north from the Gulf.
Fire Weather Concerns
Elevated to locally near critical fire weather conditions will be possible each afternoon throughout the week for areas along and west of the Interstate 35 corridor. As the drying and warming trend ramps up through Wednesday, it will result in very lower relative humidity values. Breezy southerly winds with speeds of 10-15 mph, with gusts to 25 mph are forecast through Wednesday.
The dry and potentially record-setting warmth throughout the week could lead to more active fire weather conditions going forward as fuels dry out.
Have a good week.
Bob
Social Media