Historic Heat Wave Expanding Again Across South, Plains

(As of 2:30pm today, Tuesday, August 2, 2011, it is 110°F here. Dang! It's supposed to reach 111°F before cooling off.--jef)

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by James West, August 2, 2011

While a cold front slicing across the northern High Plains will bring the dangerous heat to a screeching halt along the U.S. Northern-tier today, the same will not be true for the central and southern Plains and Mississippi Valley through much of this week. The high heat and humidity will expand from the southern Plains to the Carolinas by mid-week.

 

The dangerous and record-shattering heat will rage on across the central and southern Plains and Middle and Lower Mississippi valleys through the rest of the week and through the weekend. Long-range computer forecasts show the heat persisting through at early next week, if not longer. 

 

Dallas/FW will see another 100-plus day today; it will be the 32nd consecutive day with triple-digit temperatures seen in the Metroplex, 39th day this summer. Fort Smith, Ark., will add to its already record consecutive triple-digit streak. 

 

High temperatures reaching the 100s and 110s will expand and cover more than ten states stretching from Texas to North Carolina this week. 

 

The longevity of the massive heat wave is being fueled by a sprawling ridge of high pressure centered in the Plains. This bubble of high pressure will expand eastward across the Mid-South and into the Carolinas by the middle and end of the week, suppressing cloud cover and thunderstorm development and allowing the mercury to skyrocket. Added to the mix will be the oppressive humidity, meaning heat indices will top out at 105 to 115 degrees. 

 

Excessive Heat Watches and Warnings stretch from northern Texas into the Mid-Mississippi and Tennessee valleys, including Dallas, Tulsa, Okla., Kansas City, Mo., St. Louis and Memphis, Tenn. Heat Advisories extend from the Gulf Coast to the Upper Great Lakes, including New Orleans, Des Moines, Iowa, Chicago and Indianapolis. More heat-related advisories will likely be required for later this week as far east as the Carolinas. 

 

The prolonged heat is putting stress on the most vulnerable residents; local media are reporting more than 60 heat-related deaths nationwide, with at least a dozen deaths in the St. Louis area.