Heat Warnings and Advisories likely for the week ahead

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — This will be Houston’s most intense heat wave since the brutal August of 2011. In fact, we are now predicting this streak of 100-degree days will end up in second place only to the 24 straight days of 100-degree heat in August 2011.

Sunday was the third day in a row with record daily high temperatures in Houston and eighth in a row with temperatures at or above 100 too. Monday will be just as hot with morning lows starting in the low 80s and afternoon highs above 100 for many, mid-upper 90s closer to the coast. The Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories now last until 10 p.m. Monday and will likely continue to be extended day by day throughout the week.

And keep in mind that with this hot and dry weather plus the existing drought conditions, there is an elevated risk for fire weather. Burn bans are in effect for most counties across southeast Texas.

Is this going to be a repeat of August 2011, when it hit 100 or above on all but one day of the month?

Hopefully not! We are seeing signs that this streak of 100 heat could end around the middle of the month at 15 straight days. That would top the 14 straight days in July of 1980 but fall well short of the 24 straight days in August of 2011.

How are rain chances looking for next week?

Besides a spot shower near the coast, rain chances are slim to nothing this week. We are seeing signs that around the middle of the month, the heat ridge might back away just enough to allow some deeper moisture to return and bring a glimmer of hope for rain. We currently have a 20% chance for rain back in the forecast starting next Monday, August 14th, and if our forecast is on track, deeper tropical moisture will steadily increase those rain chances in the following days.

What are you monitoring in the tropics right now?

Tropical development in the Atlantic is not expected during the next 7 days, however, tropical waves are becoming more active, and it’s only a matter of time before the season comes back to life. For a full overview of what’s happening in the tropics, head to our Tropical Update page.