Heatwave for central US

Heat Persists, More Records Possible This Week For South, Plains, Midwest

   

Jonathan Belles 

Wunderground,

13 June,2016

Many cities east of the Rockies have seen their hottest temperatures of 2016 so far over the past few days and the heat will persist into midweek. The good news is that a pattern change will finally bring relief to some areas.

Record highs were set over the weekend from the Plains into the Midwest, South and even the mid-Atlantic. A few more records may fall this week, as high temperatures are expected to continue to soar into the 90s and even a few lower 100s are possible.

Current Temperatures

In additions to the hot temperatures, high humidity with dew points in the upper 60s and 70s will be found from portions of the Plains into the South. This will produce feels-like temperatures in the 95 to 100 degree range at times.

The heat is courtesy of an upper-level ridge of high pressure over the region, which has allowed the jet stream to push farther north into south-central Canada. This pattern is expected to remain in place through midweek.

Heat Through Midweek

Hot conditions will persist early this week, with the core of the heat centered from the mid-Mississippi Valley into the Southeast. Highs will once again rise into the 90s, which is 5 to 15 degrees warmer than average.

Baking Heat

Low temperatures will be quite warm through midweek, as well. Temperatures will only dip down into the 70s from the central Plains into parts of the Midwest and South.

Selected daily record highs that may be broken through Tuesday:

City	Day Threatened	Record (year)
Atlanta	Monday	98 (1958)
Nashville	Monday	96 (1880)
Asheville, North Carolina	Monday	91 (1894)
St. Louis	Tuesday	97 (1987)
Nashville	Tuesday	96 (1990)
Louisville, Kentucky	Tuesday	94 (2010)

Even hotter temperatures are expected Wednesday and Thursday as highs will be up to 20 degrees above average in portions of the Plains, Midwest and South once again. Highs will range from the mid 90s to the lower 100s for many locations.

Hot Week Ahead

Some relief is ahead, however, as a southward dip in the jet stream will bring cooler conditions to portions of the East to end the week.

Records Set This Weekend

Daily record high temperatures were set or tied Sunday in Atlantic City, New Jersey (93 degrees - tie), St. Louis, Missouri (98 degrees - tie), New Bern, North Carolina (95 degrees - tie), North Charleston, South Carolina (97 degrees), Asheville, North Carolina (91 degrees - tie), and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (95 degrees).

Daily record high temperatures were set or tied Saturday in Rapid City, South Dakota (101 degrees - tie), Atlanta, Georgia, (96 degrees - tie), Cleveland, Ohio, (94 degrees) and Columbus, Ohio, (95 degrees - tie).

Chicago reached 90 degrees for the first time this year on Friday and Saturday, but much cooler conditions prevailed on Sunday. Detroit and Cincinnati both recorded their first 90-degree day of the season on Saturday with highs of 91 and 90 degrees, respectively.

Potential Impacts

This type of heat can be life-threatening for some, especially if you aren't adequately prepared. Remember: heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, are possible under these extreme conditions. If you are traveling with young children or pets, please do not leave them unattended in a hot vehicle.

The National Weather Service has issued some great heat safety tips.

• Drink before you are thirsty.
• Do NOT leave kids or pets in the car, even for a minute! 
• Reduce time in the sun.
• Avoid strenuous activity; postpone outdoor activities.
• Seek air-conditioned buildings.
• Help the elderly, kids and pets stay cool.
• Keep window blinds closed.