Slight Relief From 100-Degree Heat Coming to Arklatex Late Week

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist

August 10,2015; 11:02PM,EDT

 

 

Temperatures will continue to soar past the century mark in many locations of the South Central states into the middle of the week, but slight relief is in store later.
An area of high pressure will continue to hover over Texas and Oklahoma into Wednesday. In this position, the high will deprive many areas of cloud cover, showers and thunderstorms.

Not as Hot Texas, Less Storms in the Southwest

As the high shifts westward, the core of the heat will follow suit and will settle over western Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah.

According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson, "The door will be open for slightly cooler air and spotty thunderstorms to drift southward into Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southwestern Arkansas, southern Oklahoma and central and eastern Texas."
In this portion of the South Central United States, temperatures will dip to average levels for the middle of August. For most areas, highs will be in the middle to upper 90s F. The setup could also promote highly localized, very drenching storms.
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Farther east, from Alabama and Tennessee to the Carolinas, temperatures are likely to dip to slightly below-average levels. Highs ranging from the middle 80s to the lower 90s are forecast during the middle and latter part of the week.

Most of the storms following the pattern change will tend to congregate near the Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts.
AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures topped 120 in Monroe, Louisiana, and Biloxi, Mississippi, on Sunday. The RealFeel Temperature factors in much more than temperature and humidity levels. It takes into account sunshine intensity, winds and other parameters.
Many locations in Texas to Louisiana can expect RealFeel Temperatures to climb past 110 for several hours during the afternoons through Tuesday. This includes New Orleans, Houston, Dallas and Jackson, Mississippi.

People are encouraged to avoid strenuous activity in the sunshine during the heat of the day. If you must do manual labor, be sure to take frequent breaks and stay hydrated by drinking a combination of water and electrolyte-balancing fluids.
Never leave children or pets in unattended vehicles. Temperatures inside a car can climb to deadly levels in a matter of minutes.