The summer heat and the above normal temperatures continue across the Action News 5 coverage area.  Afternoon highs are expected to reach the low to mid 90′s again today. 

Drier air has been in place in the Mid-South over the past couple of days so the humidity will not be as bad as it was last week and over the weekend, but drier air is also more prone to heat and cool faster. As a result, we have seen some hot days and some cool nights but it hasn’t been as muggy.  A weak disturbance will move throught the area tonight and there may be enough moisture in the air to trigger a few isolated storms.  A few showers would be nice considering we haven’t had any measurable rain since June 15.

We will see this dry weather trend continue through the remainder of the work week with low humidity levels and plenty of sunshine. 

As we head into the holiday weekend humidity welcomes itself back and temperatures will increase a few degrees as well. This will make for a hot and muggy fourth of July weekend. The muggy conditions and afternoon heating may trigger a few isolated to widely scattered thundershowers however at this point it looks like most of the daytime hours will just be hot and dry.

We will continue to monitor this and you count on Dave Brown to bring you a complete forecast tonight on Action News 5 at 5, 6, and 10pm.

By the way, there are no noon newscasts this week due to Wimbledon tennis coverage, but we will be back to our normal schedule next week.

As I’m sure you know it has really been hot of late and the high humidity has only complicated matters.  Several locations had heat index values as high as 110 degrees this weekend with highs in the middle to upper 90s. 

A front is now punching drier air into the Mid-South.  While the temperatures are not drastically lower behind the front the moisture is.  This, in turn, will keep the heat index near the actual temperature reading this week as lower dew points move into the region.  In other words, it will still be hot this week but a dry heat feels better than a humid heat.  Enjoy!

The big weather story today is no doubt dangerous heat. Temperatures will soar near the century mark, and heat index values will average anywhere from 103-110 degrees. While an isolated shower cannot be ruled out, most areas should stay dry. We cannot overstate enough to drink lots and lots of water and limit your outdoor activity if at all possible and if you do have to be outside, take frequent breaks. If you have an outdoor pet make sure they have plenty of cold water and shade to hide from this searing heat. Balmy lows around 80 are forecast tonight.

A cold front will finally and not too soon enough advance into our region tomorrow. While it will be hot for most of the day I don’t believe it should be as bad as today. Isolated thundershowers could develop ahead of the front but it still appears many areas stay dry.

This front will have a huge impact on Monday and Tuesday’s weather. Expect cooler highs in the lower 90s and significantly lower humidity levels. It is possible a few spots fall into the 60s Monday night.

A slow moderating trend will commence Wednesday but the heat should not be oppressive. Middle 90s are likely for our Fourth of July Holiday.

Dry skies will likely dominate Monday through Friday.

I hope you have a great Saturday and don’t underestimate this very uncomfortable heat.

John Bryant

Summer officially started this past Sunday, but we have been experiencing summer-like temperatures for the past couple of weeks.  Yesterday in Memphis the temperature reached 100 degrees for the first time this year. That was one degree shy of our record for the date set in 1988.  The earliest we have seen it reach 100 in Memphis was June 6, 1977.  The average high for this time of year is around 90 degrees, but we’ve had temperatures above 90 since June 15th, making it feel more like July or August which is also the time of year that we are more prone to reach triple digit highs. 

If you thought 100 was hot, that’s nothing compared to July 13, 1980 when it reached 108 degrees, the hottest temperature on record in Memphis.  By the way, 1980 was also one of the hottest summers on record.  The latest in the year that it has ever reached 100 or above was September 16, 1980 when it reached 102 degrees.  Did I mention that 1980 was one of the hottest years on record?  Oh, yeah, I did.  Now, that’s hot!

The location of a large ridge of high pressure will allow us to tap into drier, northeasterly winds today.

High pressure the key to today.

An Excessive Heat Warning was issued earlier today for most of the Action News 5 coverage area and we could see this extend on through the week. 

The National Weather Service will send out an alert when heat indices exceed 105 degrees. Our bodies sweat to cool us off, but when heat indices are this hot it is harder for the sweat to evaporate, making it difficult for the body to cool itself.

Here are some helpful tips to help you stay cool during this hot weather. 

• First, remember to stay well hydrated.  Drink plenty of water!
• If you can, stay in a cool place with air conditioning or a well ventilated building.
• If you do go outside, take it slow and take plenty of breaks in shaded areas.
• Wear loose fitting, light colored clothing.  This allows air to circulate around the body and helps to reflect the sun.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.  This will lead to de-hydration faster if you are in the sun.
• Finally, be sure to check on elderly family, friends, and neighbors.  as well as children playing outside during  the day and keep pets in shaded places with plenty of water.

If you follow these tips you should be able to avoid any heat related illnesses.

A Heat Advisory is once again in effect for our Saturday.  The map above outlines which counties are involved.  It basically includes everybody.  A Heat Advisory means there could be a sustained period of time for dangerous heat index values.  The danger level is 105 degrees.  Temperatures will rise into the middle to upper 90s and when you throw in the humidity it will really feel uncomfortable.  Drink lots of water if you will be outdoors and try to limit strenuous activity as much as possible.

WEATHER CHAT THIS THURSDAY

I want to invite you to our weekly webchat coming up Thursday, starting just after 10:00 a.m. on wmctv.com. 

We will review what happened with this past Friday’s storms, discuss Meteorology studies, and take your questions.

The weather radio programming event is tomorrow (Wednesday the 17th).

It will be at the Kroger at 6660 Poplar (at Kirby) from 5-7 p.m.

If you need assistance with your weather radio or wish to purchase a new one, we invite you to come on out!

…probably just fine.  Did you have trouble with yours on Friday or over the weekend?  This explains why:

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEMPHIS TN

301 PM CDT SUN JUN 14 2009

 

…PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT…

 

NOAA WEATHER RADIO STATION WXK-60 IN JACKSON TENNESSEE…BROADCASTING ON 162.550 MHZ…IS ON LOWER POWER BUT IS BACK ON THE AIR. TECHNICIANS CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE SITUATION IN ORDER TO BRING THE TRANSMITTER BACK TO FULL POWER. NOAA WEATHER RADIO STATION WNG-643 IN MARVELL ARKANSAS AND WXK049 IN MEMPHIS TENNESSEE ARE BACK ON THE AIR. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEMPHIS APOLOGIZES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS HAS CAUSED.

Amongst the additional storms over the weekend and having to survey storm damage, a big thanks to the National Weather Service Memphis Office for multitasking and getting the transmitter back up and running!