Persistent above-normal temperatures throughout the area and into the south-central U.S. have broken records across the High Plains on Wednesday - but when will the heat relief this region?
Not for a few more days, AccuWeather forecasters reveals. Rather, the hot pattern that's been trapped across the center of the nation will be present through the weekend for most regions.
Dallas Attains 100-degree Mark
Since last weekend, Houston and Lubbock, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Oklahoma City; and Wichita, Kansas afternoon temperatures have been around 2-5 degrees above normal, on average.
For this first time, this 2021 Dallas attained the 100-degree mark on Sunday then on Monday and Tuesday it surged into the lower 100s F again. Normally, Dallas usually attains 100 degrees by the day 1 of July, and August 23, 1989 was the latest date on which this city recorded its initial 100-degree reading of the year.
AccuWeather forecasters project that Dallas' heat will persist with temperatures flirting with 100 every day through Sunday and the AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperature will possibly increase as high as 108.
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Triple-digit Heat
Also, triple-digit heat will take over cities farther north and west. Mary Gilbert, AccuWeather Meteorologist explained that the stimulant behind this heat wave has been the atmosphere's weather feature high.
Gilbert said: "A large area of high pressure at the upper levels of the atmosphere has been responsible in part for the increased heat across the region this week."
The flow of air around this region of high pressure permits the heat to disperse northward along the High Plains, just east of the Rocky Mountains. Wednesday afternoon across this area, some new record-high temperatures were set.
Earlier this week, Denver's temperatures rapidly increased above normal and kept on trending higher into the middle of the week. The Mile High City attained 100 degrees by Wednesday, thereby breaking the old day-to-day record of 98 degrees set in 1867.
Risk for Heat-related Illnesses
For late August, normal high temperatures range from about 90 F in Kansas City and Denver to 97 F in Dallas.
As the region of high pressure is predicted to stay over the area, Gilbert said: "Temperatures a few degrees above normal will likely continue for much of the south-central U.S. into the weekend."
It is expected that on Friday and Saturday little rock will approach the triple digits. Highs across the remaining region are anticipated to be in the middle to upper 90s through Saturday at least.
The risk for illnesses related to the heat will stay elevated all through the weekend, Gilbert warned. she advised: "Anyone spending extended periods of time outdoors should try to limit that time to early morning or late afternoons to avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day."
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