 |
| Summer is here. Unfortunately Florida rains have been diminished by a massive heat dome that spreads across the southeast. These sunflowers are kept alive only by daily irrigation. Photo: Phillip Lott |
Models are providing weather forecasters with growing confidence that there could be a significant heat wave across Florida, the South, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic next week, with tropical humidity and highs 10° to 20° Fahrenheit above average. Records may fall in a number of major U.S. cities, with highs well into the lower 100°s across Georgia and the Carolinas, for instance. Its already hot, and mostly dry as a massive heat dome has been parked over the Lower 48 for most of the past week.
 |
| The 500mb model forecast (just under 20,000 feet) percentile rank. So the strength of this forecast heat dome, in the purple colors, is record-breaking for the period since 1979. It is a huge area of both relentless and dangerous heat. |
More than 50 million Americans are in line to experience temperatures above 100° degrees, and it’s likely heat advisories and excessive-heat watches and warnings will be issued as the event nears. It comes less than a week after much of the Southwest, the Plains and the Ohio and Tennessee valleys dealt with stifling heat and humidity.
Follow Phillip
The weather is the result of a persistent heat dome that has been languishing and refusing to budge from its perch over North America. It initially built into the Western United States. Its next act will feature an expansion and intensification of its sphere of influence, with the ridge of high pressure soon to sprawl across the entire Lower 48.
The resulting weather for Florida has been very hot and very dry. The massive heat dome has totally cut off the Florida rain machine (rainy season).
The intense heat is forecast to be centered between Texarcana and Vicksburg June 24 - 28, 2022
The intense heat isn't going anywhere. Above, the forecast for June 26 to July 2, 2022. Persistent above average temperatures. And below the heat hangs on through mid-July 2022 in this forecast issued on June 17, 2022.
“High temperatures alone (but more certainly heat indexes) Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday could necessitate Heat Advisories across portions of the area,” wrote the National Weather Service office in Peachtree City, Ga. The combination of highs pushing 100° and Gulf humidity will make for heat indexes potentially nearing 110°.
 |
| The grass is all dead but I've managed to keep a few sunflowers alive in the heat by 2x day irritation. The flowers are stunted this year, only about 6 feet tall. Photo: Phillip Lott |
As for actual air temperatures, Atlanta is looking at a forecast of 98° on Tuesday and 100° on Wednesday and Thursday. Macon could see highs around 102° or 103°. In Macon, the temperatures could beat records of 101° set in 1925 and 1988 on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Atlanta will likely topple daily records that have stood since World War II.
Nashville is predicted to see a high of 101° on Tuesday and Wednesday — both likely topping records from 1988 — and a high of 100° Thursday, which may fall a degree short of tying a record.
The temperature in Birmingham, Ala., will be around 100° on Tuesday and 102° on Wednesday and Thursday, readings that will be within a degree or two of daily records. Most of the remainder of the South, including South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas and interior Louisiana, will be around 100° for three or more days in a row. Houston is likely to hit 100° during the spell, and overnight lows in some places, like Dallas, might not dip below 81° at night.
Dew points, meanwhile, will sit in the mid- to upper 60°s along the Interstate 20 corridor and the lower 70°s along Interstate 10, combining with the heat to yield heat indexes in the 105°- to 110°-range. This could be especially problematic for low-income residents, the elderly and other vulnerable populations who may not have the means to escape the brutal heat.
 |
Through the weekend and into early next week, an “omega block” pattern will keep the heat dome in place over the Mississippi River. An omega block consists of two low pressure systems flanking the high, one on either side, and the trio of weather systems interlocking like meshed gears. That allows each to sit in place and spin for an extended period of time. That means the high won’t easily budge.
My personal weather station recorded some crazy high temperatures on June 23-24, 2022, including this heat index reading of 121.3° which was quickly eclipsed by a reading of 127° a half hour later. The highest actual temperature I recorded was 99.8° F. Daytona Beach recorded an actual temperature at the International Airport of 101°F on June 23, 2022. Another record high.
Eventually the omega block will break down around Tuesday, allowing the heat dome to expand west and flatten, occupying most of the Lower 48, before intensifying late in the week. That will mean even more significant heat for the northern Plains, with toasty temperatures for just about everyone else too.
The Climate Prediction Center continues to forecast elevated temperatures for much of the continental United States for the next week or two. Heat domes are ordinary staples of the summertime, but are made more intense by human-induced climate change.
Jonas Brother's Summer
You've probably seen this cover in a supermarket or on a newstand featuring the Jonas Brothers who are all now in or pushing 30.
Photo: Joe Jonas on stage Las Vegas MGM Park Dolby Theater
Credit: AL POWERS FOR DOLBY LIVE AT PARK MGM
Jonas Brothers on stage Park MGM Dolby Live Theater, June 2022
Photo Credit: AL POWERS FOR DOLBY LIVE AT PARK MGM
No comments:
Post a Comment