RECORD HEAT

Well folks, we officially did it. We climbed to 106°F this afternoon at Austin’s Camp Mabry which beat the previous record high for this date of 104°F set all the way back in the hot summer of 1923. Austin Bergstrom International Airport also set a brand new record high of 105°F this afternoon beating their previous record high of 103°F set back in 1956. Strong ridge of high pressure centered across the four corners region is allowing for strong subsidence (sinking air) across the state of Texas, hence, the lack of cloud coverage across the region the past couple of days. Sinking air compresses and heats up rapidly. With plenty of sun and relatively dry ground, temps were able to skyrocket today. Add to that combination an approaching frontal boundary, which actually makes conditions even HOTTER ahead of it thanks to additional compression.

Check out this giant ridge of high pressure (that is one big mountain of hot air)-

 I just finished scanning all of the latest computer models and they are indicating that Saturday has the potential to be even HOTTER than today. The record high on Saturday for Austin is 105°F set back in the very hot summer of 2009. Some forecast models want to push highs to near 110°F across the region for Saturday. While models may be over estimating a bit, I’m still thinking temperatures will likely range anywhere from 103-107°F across central Texas on Saturday. The only difference on Saturday is that moisture levels may begin to creep up a bit more in the mid-levels of the atmosphere above central Texas which could aid a few spotty, but STRONG storms to form across the area. These storms would be capable of very strong, damaging winds given the extreme heat.

High Resolution NAM Forecast Model for Saturday (Forecast High Temps)- 

 

As “cooler” air begins to filter into the region early Sunday morning, highs are likely to stay below 100°F with a chance for showers and storms. With high pressure pushing farther off to the west and a trough of low pressure setting up across Texas, northwesterly winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere would help to carry disturbances (areas of lift/complexes of showers and storms) out of eastern New Mexico into central Texas. At least one of the forecast models shows a cluster of storms moving into central Texas Sunday evening.

Forecast Radar Sunday afternoon/evening:

If it makes you feel any better we are not the only ones suffering through extreme heat, temperatures are approaching 120°F across the Phoenix Metro Area this afternoon with temps nearing 130°F expected across Death Valley, CA…In fact, even the Pacific Northwest is heating up in the 80s. Portland, Oregon may hit 100°F by early next week with Seattle close behind in the 90s. Overall, once we get past Saturday conditions look to cool down here in central Texas with at least slight rainfall chances coming into the picture. Of course you can always get the latest weather information on my Facebook page, Michael’s Weather Center. 

National Temps as of this afternoon: Anywhere shaded in white is above 100°F...anywhere shaded in purple is above 90°F! Anywhere shaded in gray is above 110°F!!!