Heat Is The #1 Killer

                                                                                                                                  

  www.readywisconsin.wi.gov

As we all know, the summer gets extremely hot here in Texas. Temperatures rise as high as 105°, and when the humidity is factored in, it could feel as hot as 115° through the Brazos Valley. During a long day of farming, construction work, or gardening it can get brutal out there, but if you take the necessary safety steps you will be able to beat the heat.

The National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) released a report on weather related fatalities based on different phenomenon. From hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, floods, and heat related deaths, heat came out as the number one killer on average over the past 10 years. According to NOAA, 117 deaths have occurred each year on average from 2003-2012 directly to heat. That’s more than flooding (76) and lightning (35) associated fatalities combine.

 

As a meteorologist, I understand it gets redundant that we mention to stay cool and hydrated, but there is a meaningful reason behind it listed above.

In order to minimize the opportunity for heat exhaustion or even stroke to develop you can follow several simple tips. Know that official recorded temperatures are reported in the shade. In direct sunlight, add 10° to 15°. Make sure to drink plenty of water, cold water is best, but no matter the temperature, staying hydrated is key. Additionally, make sure there is a place that is cool nearby to take frequent breaks if you are outdoors for an extended period of time. For any runners out there, it’s best to exercise before dawn and after dusk. Finally, if you are feeling dizzy, weak, sweating heavily, nauseous, or even sensing you might faint, stop what you are doing immediately and move indoors where the air conditioning will cool you down.

If you use these simple tips though the summer season, you will be able to battle heat, even at its worst. On one more note, don’t forget to slap on plenty of sunscreen too.

For more news and weather you can log onto: www.facebook.com/plushnickweather or www.facebook.com/KAGSTV. You can also check out our twitter feeds: @KAGSweather and @KAGSnews. Furthermore, you can download our new weather app. Search: KAGS Weather, in the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android.

HEAT Streak Comes To An End Soon

We still have several more days of intense heat across the region, however, the tides will turn in our favor. With temperatures around 100° the past two days, and heat index levels (or feels like temperatures) around 105°, we are due for some much needed relief. Good news, we will get some relief by the end of the upcoming weekend.

Before we chat about the future, note the current situation.

Areas from west Texas to the Desert Southwest are baking with 100°+ readings, while cooler air lurks in the Northeast. The air temperatures are controlled by an upper level high in combination with the jet stream.

The jet stream is the true divide between the hot stuff and not so hot stuff. However, under the high pressure done lies the hottest air. In fact, as the high strengthens and shifts west over the weekend, areas in the southern California Desert (such as Death Valley) will have air temperatures approach 120°-125°. Its summertime and searing heat like that can happen in the desert, but WOW, that's baking.

Anyway, the high will shift westward with time, through the weekend and into next week, taking the really hot stuff away from the Brazos Valley.

 

When this shift happens, the jet stream will respond by orienting more in a north to south direction. Therefore, slightly cooler air will infiltrate the Brazos Valley, and additional moisture will return from the Gulf of Mexico. When you put this all together, the 100° weather will move out, more clouds will reduce the amount of searing sunshine, and the possibility of rain will come back as well.

 

Overall, expect it to be hot through Saturday. By Sunday, better changes begin to arrive :) 

 

 

For more news and weather you can log onto: www.facebook.com/plushnickweather or www.facebook.com/KAGSTV. You can also check out our twitter feeds: @KAGSweather and @KAGSnews. Furthermore, you can download our new weather app. Search: KAGS Weather, in the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android.

Tropical Update: Besides Cosme, All Is Tranquil

Temperatures are soaring here in the Brazos Valley as we embark on our first period of 100° days. Its just a sign that Summer really is here and its going to stick around for a while. On the other hand, this also a time where the tropics begin to show signs of additional activity.

Out in the Pacific Ocean, Cosme became a Tropical Storm and as of this afternoon strengthened into a low end category 1 Hurricane.

Winds are sustained reaching 75 mph at the core of the storm with occasional gusts of 90mph. Some additional strengthening will occur, but in the long run, this is a storm that will move out into the open waters, away from land and dissipate.

It wont take long, but by the weekend, Cosme will most likely become a mass of clouds dropping heavy rain.

Besides the Pacific, this time of year, we keep a close eye on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico for tropical formations that could impact Texas and the remainder of the United States. I can tell you at this time, all is quiet, not a storm in sight.

 

As new information arrives and new storms form, I will make sure to keep you in the loop. In the meantime, stay cool and hydrated as the scorching heat has arrived.

 

For more news and weather you can log onto: www.facebook.com/plushnickweather or www.facebook.com/KAGSTV. You can also check out our twitter feeds: @KAGSweather and @KAGSnews. Furthermore, you can download our new weather app. Search: KAGS Weather, in the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android.



Summer Strong, Drought Strong: Focus on Robertson County

 

www.letthedogin.com

Summer is a typical time to take prolonged vacations, dips in the pool, and plenty of mouthwatering BBQ. However, this is a time where our minds are pointed towards one thing, the weather. Aside from watching the tropics, as this is currently Hurricane Season, long term dry spells translate to poor crop growth.

Given heat builds in the mid-section of the country rapidly this time of the year, the jet stream, or highway for large storms, tend to move well north of Texas. In other words, big rain makers on a consistent basis stray away from us during the summer season. Therefore, drought conditions tend to get worse quickly from June through the end of August.

As of the latest drought monitor report, southern Robertson County is under Moderate Drought conditions, while areas north of Hearne are drier and categorized as a Severe Drought. Sure our lawns are not as green as they could be, but this time two years ago, it was much worse. All of Robertson County and in fact most of Texas (70.61%) were facing Exceptional Drought conditions, the worst possible category of drought.

 

 

    Current Report: June 18, 2013                                         Past Report: June 21, 2011

 

 

Rains from 2012, and early this year have helped, but the current weather pattern will bring back some memories of two years ago. An upper level ridge of high pressure situated to our east will build over Texas and eventually to our west over a two week period. Therefore sunshine, heat, and humidity will dominate our weather with little to no rain at all. Depending on the evolution of this ridge, dry conditions could last an additional 1-2 weeks. Unless there is a swing in the tide or the tropics begin to activate prepare for a prolonged spell of dry weather as Summer is coming on strong.

 

For more news and weather you can log onto: www.facebook.com/plushnickweather or www.facebook.com/KAGSTV. You can also check out our twitter feeds: @KAGSweather and @KAGSnews. Furthermore, you can download our new weather app. Search: KAGS Weather, in the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android.

Summertime Stretch Coming Right Up

Its hard to believe that the final day of Spring is coming up tomorrow. Once the clock strikes 12:04am on Friday, the Summer Solstice will kick start the official season of sizzle. For us here in the Brazos Valley, that means several extended periods of consistent weather with quiet, hot, and humid days. The key to most summers in Texas is a lack of rainfall.

As upper level ridges strengthen, storms tend to move well north of us. Rain does fall from time to time, but the overall scenario features dry weather. Recently, several showers have danced around Aggieland, but that trend will change later in the week.

In the upper levels a strong high will begin to dominate as the jet stream hangs well north.

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With this being the case, storms tend to ride along the jet stream.

Several small disturbances moving into Texas is not out of the question, or even a few showers coming in off the Gulf. However, the overall pattern favors a long stretch of hot, dry weather through the weekend and into next week.

Stay cool out there and you can always join KAGS-HD for the latest.

For more news and weather you can log onto: www.facebook.com/plushnickweather or www.facebook.com/KAGSTV. You can also check out our twitter feeds: @KAGSweather and @KAGSnews. Furthermore, you can download our new weather app. Search: KAGS Weather, in the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android.

Heat Begins To Takeover

andforpoorer.com

 

OK....the image was just for effect, but the weather is going to sizzle. Despite a great weekend with low humidity and some early morning rain Sunday, this week is going to be a lot different. A ridge in the upper levels of the atmosphere will take over and build from the Desert Southwest.

 

Eventually this searing ridge of high pressure will settle in the Central Plains and bake most of Texas. With this type of upper level pattern, you can expect similar weather each and everyday through the weekend. Therefore, the sun will be beating down on you, humidity levels will rise, and temperatures will hit the upper 90s to near 100°. Even if we don't hit 100°, it will feel like it when you add in the humidity.

 

Since this will be the first prolonged stretch of really hot weather, make sure to stay safe. Slop on plenty of sunscreen throughout the day if you are outdoors, keep hydrated, and take brakes often in the air conditioning. Finally, never leave your pets in the car.  

For more news and weather you can log onto: www.facebook.com/plushnickweather or www.facebook.com/KAGSTV. You can also check out our twitter feeds: @KAGSweather and @KAGSnews. Furthermore, you can download our new weather app. Search: KAGS Weather, in the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android.