Forecast Discussion for Tuesday, August 16
AND THE HITS JUST KEEP ON COMING….
Ho hum. Another day with temperatures above 100°. The is day 50 with temperatures at or above 100° this year. To give you an idea of how extreme that is…the average number of triple digit days in a year is only 18..so we've almost tripled the norm. Today we are in 4th place on the list of most 100° days in a year:
1. 1980 – 69
2. 1998 – 56
3. 1954 – 52
4. 2011*- 50
5. 1956 – 48
Interestingly this week, there have not been any Heat Advisories or Warnings…this doesn't mean that it's not dangerously hot, but that the exact criteria of the heat index ranging between 105-110° has not been met. The air has dried out sufficiently during the afternoon to keep the "feels like" temp below 105°. Still though, take it easy throughout the day and manage the heat to the best of your abilities. Check on your neighbors and elderly friends as well.
FORECAST
Tonight…Partly cloudy. Isolated showers along Red River. Low near 84. South wind 5-10 mph.
Tomorrow…Sunny to partly cloudy. Stray shower north of the Metroplex. High near 104°. South wind 5-15 mph.
Rest of the week….Mostly sunny. Lows 81-84°. Highs 102-106°
2ND WORST DROUGHT ON RECORD INTENSIFIES
The drought is getting worse, despite the fact we had welcome rain on Saturday. The evaporation rate is so great this time of year, soil moisture and reservoir levels are quickly depleting. We are looking at soil moisture contents at around 1 to 5% of normal right now. All of North Texas is in at least severe drought at this time, with the odds of that improving very small.
The agricultural impacts are tremendous. The cost of this drought on farmers and ranchers is going to be nearly double the record of 4 billion dollars. Hay shortages, cattle and hog culling, water restrictions and near total crop loss are just a few impacts from this statewide drought.
The Climate Prediction Center is not optimistic in its outlook for drought condition into the fall. Graphic below shows the vast majority of Texas will still be in drought through October. There's some indication that "La Nina" is returning in the Pacific, which usually means a drier fall and winter here in Texas.
