Texas toast: Weekend heat wave to sear South, threaten record highs into Midwest next week
Dozens of record highs will be threatened into next week as temperatures rise to dangerously hot levels
More than 150 record high temperatures in jeopardy across the South, Plains
Temperatures will soar across the South and Plains to start the week, putting more than 150 records in jeopardy.
A dangerous early-season heatwave will shatter dozens of record highs from Texas to the South and Midwest as temperatures soar into the 90s and 100s from this weekend into next week.
A large northward bulge in the jet stream will set up over the south-central U.S. this weekend and continue to build across the central and eastern states through much of next week, causing a strong upper-level area of high pressure to park itself over those regions.
Sinking air beneath a high-pressure system allows for plenty of sunshine and above-average temperatures, often setting the stage for a prolonged stretch of hot weather this time of year.
The heat started to build in the Southern Plains on Friday, and it will peak in that region over the weekend before expanding into parts of the South and Midwest next week.
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Nearly the entire state of Texas will have high temperatures near or above 95 degrees on Sunday.
Dallas and Houston are predicted to reach the mid-90s Sunday afternoon, while San Antonio and Midland could top 100 degrees.
Dallas doesn't typically see its first 95-degree day until late May, while Houston usually waits until early June to reach 95 degrees for the first time. If San Antonio hits 100 degrees, it would be incredibly early, as the first 100-degree temperature there is typically not until late June.
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The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for parts of Texas.
The heat will continue into Sunday across Texas. Once again, nearly the entire state could see high temperatures near or above 95 degrees, except for areas along the upper Texas coast.
Highs in the lower to mid-90s will also scorch much of Oklahoma and Louisiana on Sunday, including Oklahoma City and Shreveport, Louisiana.
More than two-dozen daily record highs could be tied or broken on Sunday from Texas to the central Gulf Coast.
Cities that could challenge records on Sunday include (record to beat in parentheses) New Orleans (91 degrees), Shreveport, Louisiana (94 degrees), Dallas (95 degrees), Austin, Texas (97 degrees) and Del Rio, Texas (103 degrees).
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By early next week, this heatwave will expand farther north and eastward.
More than three-dozen daily record highs will be threatened Monday, and nearly four-dozen records will be in jeopardy Tuesday, from Texas to Mississippi and northward to Kentucky and Missouri.
By early next week, this heatwave will expand farther north and eastward.
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Highs in the 80s will even spread northward into the Great Lakes and Northeast by the middle of next week. On Wednesday, records could be challenged as far north as southern Wisconsin.
Since it's still early in the season, it will take some time to adapt to the warmer temperatures ahead over the next several months. Even if the National Weather Service does not issue any Heat Advisories or Excessive Heat Watches and Warnings, it's important to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks if you'll be spending time outdoors during this upcoming heatwave.