SE TX / SW LA Discussion - Hot! Hot! Hot!

[Yankeegirl]

Its been raining here almost all day! On and off... But I think we have had a good amount of rain for today... When it rains, it pours!!! Sunny out right now, just in time to fuel the next line moving in!!!

[jasons2k]

.52" here today - that's almost 3" this week alone! And all from quick downpours! At least my fertilizer was watered-in

[Yankeegirl]

Looks like some out flow from the storm just to the south of me... Got some nice gusty winds here, not dropping the temps much though... will I get rain?? Hope so!!

[Yankeegirl]

well its pouring out now... and i left open my sunroof.... figures!!

[southerngale]

Very heavy rain this afternoon here too... and we had our lowest rain chances in weeks. lol
It didn't last all that long, but was just heavy.

There was even some minor street flooding... from a day with only 20% chance of rain. We didn't see this much on some of those 70% days. And I was hoping to be able to mow in a few days if it didn't rain anymore. It's getting so high, I keep getting lost trying to get across my yard!

Quite windy as well...

[Ptarmigan]

I got lots of rain too. So much for 40% chance of rain.

[southerngale]

Gotta love these 20% chance of rain days. It's pouring here again, with lots of thunder and lightning. My sister called a few minutes ago from the Parkdale and Target area, actually trying to get from Parkdale to Target, and she said the rain was so hard, they were barely going 5mph and couldn't see just across the street. The streets were flooding fast and water was shooting up from a manhole. I checked the closest KFDM Instaweather station to where they were and it had a 4" per hour rain rate.

So much for drying out...

[Ptarmigan]

Gotta love these 20% chance of rain days. It's pouring here again, with lots of thunder and lightning. My sister called a few minutes ago from the Parkdale and Target area, actually trying to get from Parkdale to Target, and she said the rain was so hard, they were barely going 5mph and couldn't see just across the street. The streets were flooding fast and water was shooting up from a manhole. I checked the closest KFDM Instaweather station to where they were and it had a 4" per hour rain rate.

So much for drying out...

When NWS calls for 70% chance of rain, nothing happens. When they call for 20%, it rains hard. NWS Houston called for 40% today and this evening. 4" per hour rate is really hard rain for sure. Happens a lot in those seabreeze thunderstorms and popcorn thunderstorms.

[Extremeweatherguy]

Here's a forecast I have not seen in a LLOOOOONNNGGGGG time...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapCli ... 1&site=hgx

This Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 105. South wind around 10 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 76. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 104. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 96.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 94.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 94.

<< I almost had forgotten what this symbol looked like. lol.

[southerngale]

<< I almost had forgotten what this symbol looked like. lol.

I know what you mean. I can't remember the last time I even saw that. When I first opened my NWS 7-day forecast, at first glance, I thought it was a new format or something. lol

Yes, it's been THAT long.

I still have standing water in my yard and ditches, but with a lot of sunshine, maybe it will dry up soon and I can get this swamp mowed!

[Ptarmigan]

It's getting hot again. Never been through this, this summer due to all the rains.

[jasons2k]

I hit 100F yesterday. Looks like summer is finally here.

[Extremeweatherguy]

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
1039 AM CDT TUE AUG 7 2007

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT...

.HOTTER WEATHER ON TAP THROUGH THE WEEKEND. A COMBINATION OF NEAR
NORMAL TO SLIGHTLY ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES BUT WITH GREATER THAN
NORMAL RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL LEAD TO A STRETCH OF AFTERNOONS
WITH HEAT INDICES OF 105 TO 109 DEGREES. THESE VALUES MAY OCCUR
AS EARLY AS NOON NEAR THE COAST AND BY 2 PM SHOULD BE THE NORM
OVER THE INLAND AREAS.

TXZ200-213-214-226-227-235>238-080000-
/O.NEW.KHGX.HT.Y.0001.070807T1539Z-070808T0000Z/
BRAZORIA-CHAMBERS-FORT BEND-GALVESTON-HARRIS-JACKSON-LIBERTY-
MATAGORDA-WHARTON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALVIN...ANAHUAC...ANGLETON...BAY CITY...
CLEVELAND...DAYTON...EDNA...EL CAMPO...FREEPORT...FRIENDSWOOD...
GALVESTON...HOUSTON...HUMBLE...KATY...LAKE JACKSON...
LEAGUE CITY...LIBERTY...MISSOURI CITY...MONT BELVIEU...PALACIOS...
PASADENA...PEARLAND...PIERCE...RICHMOND...ROSENBERG...
SUGAR LAND...TEXAS CITY...TOMBALL...WHARTON...WINNIE
1039 AM CDT TUE AUG 7 2007

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HOUSTON/GALVESTON HAS ISSUED A
HEAT ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING.

GREATER THAN NORMAL RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL COMBINE WITH NEAR
NORMAL TO SLIGHTLY ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES LEADING TO A STRETCH
OF AFTERNOONS WITH HEAT INDICES OF 105 TO 109 DEGREES. THESE
VALUES MAY OCCUR AS EARLY AS NOON NEAR THE COAST AND OVER INLAND
AREAS FROM 2 AND 5 PM. HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 98 TO 100 MAY PERSIST
AS LATE AS 7 PM. ABUNDANT NEARLY FULL SUNSHINE WILL BE ON TAP THIS
WEEK AS WELL AND CAN DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE TEMPERATURE WHILE
YOU ARE IN DIRECT SUN. OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURES WILL ONLY DROP
INTO THE MID TO UPPER 70S FOR MOST AREAS LIMITING THE EFFECTS OF
OVERNIGHT COOLING.

THIS ADVISORY WILL LIKELY BE CONTINUED THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF
THE WEEK...AND MAY BE EXPANDED IN AREA AS WELL.

IF YOU PLAN TO BE OUTSIDE...AVOID PROLONGED EXPOSURE OR STRENUOUS
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. YOUR BODY CAN LOSE UP TO A GALLON OF WATER AN
HOUR THROUGH PERSPIRATION. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS TO AVOID
DEHYDRATION. ALCOHOLIC AND CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES CAN INCREASE THE
RATE OF WATER LOSS IN YOUR BODY...INCREASING THE RISK OF HEAT
EXHAUSTION OR STROKE. WEAR LIGHTWEIGHT...LIGHT-COLORED...LOOSE-
FITTING CLOTHING. WEAR A HAT TO SHIELD YOURSELF FROM THE SUN.
ALWAYS USE A SUNSCREEN TO REDUCE POSSIBLE SUNBURN. IF CHILDREN
WILL BE OUTDOORS PLAYING OR PRACTICING SPORTS MAKE SURE THEY STAY
HYDRATED AND KEEP A SHARP EYE FOR SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION.

IF POSSIBLE SEEK SHELTER FROM THE AFTERNOON HEAT IN AIR
CONDITIONED AREAS.

PETS CAN ALSO SUCCUMB TO THE EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT. INSURE
PETS HAVE ADEQUATE DRINKING WATER AND A SHADY PLACE TO REST. DO
NOT KEEP PETS IN CARS WITH WINDOWS ROLLED UP...EVEN PARTIALLY.
TEMPERATURES INSIDE A CAR WITH THE WINDOWS UP CAN REACH OVER 150
DEGREES QUICKLY...RESULTING IN HEAT STROKE AND DEATH.

THE HEAT INDEX IS A MEASURE OF HOW HOT IT FEELS WHEN THE EFFECTS
OF HUMIDITY ARE COMBINED WITH THE TEMPERATURE. A HEAT INDEX OF 105
DEGREES IS CONSIDERED THE LEVEL WHERE MANY PEOPLE BEGIN TO
EXPERIENCE EXTREME DISCOMFORT OR PHYSICAL STRESS. THE HEAT INDEX
IS MEASURED UNDER SHADY CONDITIONS...AND DIRECT EXPOSURE TO
SUNLIGHT CAN INCREASE THE HEAT INDEX AS MUCH AS 15 DEGREES.


FORECAST HIGHS

Today - 97
Wed - 97
Thurs - 98
Fri - 97
Sat - 97
sun-97

[jasons2k]

Funny, they don't issue heat advisories in the DFW CWA unless low temps are forecasted to be 80F or above. I guess the criteria is different here.

Also, the "greater than normal relative humidity" comment is a little baffling. Let's see....continuous southerly flow off the GOM, with water temps from 86-88, resulting in dewpoints in the low-mid 70's. It's August folks, nothing at all unusual about that. Just another summer day in Texas if you ask me.

[vbhoutex]

Funny, they don't issue heat advisories in the DFW CWA unless low temps are forecasted to be 80F or above. I guess the criteria is different here.

Also, the "greater than normal relative humidity" comment is a little baffling. Let's see....continuous southerly flow off the GOM, with water temps from 86-88, resulting in dewpoints in the low-mid 70's. It's August folks, nothing at all unusual about that. Just another summer day in Texas if you ask me.

I thought the issuance was strange based on the data(reason) given for it. I'm not generally one to question NWS, but this one struck me wierd. And it hasn't gotten above 92º here in the Galleria area, at least not on the weahter bug closest to us.

[Extremeweatherguy]

The issuance did seem a bit strange, however I think by next week we will definitely need that heat advisory! Check out the latest sizzling forecast...

This Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 106. South wind around 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 98.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy and hot, with a high near 99.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99.

[jasons2k]

Yeah and with the heat, the relatively cooler SSTs in the NW GOM will quickly warm to at or above normal readings.

[jasons2k]

Here is the latest from Jeff. Note his comment on the heat advisory criteria:

Typical early August weather in store for the next several days.

Large upper high has become established over much of the US with SE TX lying near the southern edge of the massive heat ridge. Afternoon heat index values and morning lows are nearing heat advisory criteria over the region…especially metro Houston areas. Typical advisory criteria is morning lows at or above 80 for 2 days in a row and afternoon heat index/stress values at or above 108. We are likely meeting the criteria in the urban metro areas where overnight lows are likely not falling much below 82 degrees where the urban heat core resides.

PWS and low level dewpoints will likely increase some Thursday and Friday resulting in higher afternoon heat index values…will likely need a heat advisory for Thursday into Saturday. Upper ridge builds even stronger across the area over the weekend with 500mb heights rising toward 588 dm to 592 dm suggesting inland locations may break 100 degrees. Only drawback and models over forecasting of higher temps. is high soil moisture and greener than average vegetation from all the rain this summer. Although mid level heights would support 100+ degree highs, evapotranspriation may keep highs in the 97 to 99 range.

Little change into early next week although a slight chance of thunderstorms will need to be introduced into the forecast starting Saturday with slightly higher moisture levels. Seabreeze will be the main driving force behind any convective developments during this period and large scale upper ridge subsidence may negate any moisture increases.

SIDE NOTE: I have a running commentary, if you will, on how many pro mets seem to spell q-u-i-e-t as "quite". Well, last night on Fox 26, Dr. Jim showed a map of the Gulf of Mexico with a title: "Quite Weather". Crazy...

[Ptarmigan]

I heard on the local weather that temps could hit 99 to 101 by the weekend, which means there could be thunderstorms.

[southerngale]

I heard on the local weather that temps could hit 99 to 101 by the weekend, which means there could be thunderstorms.

How does that mean there could be thunderstorms?