Heat Wave for Central Part of the States

[Jeff Duda]

Good to know thanks, I always wondered why certain ones were so skewed. I just assumed they were out in the middle of a corn field or something, lol.

Some of them probably are. I drive by the Tama RWIS station every time I visit my parents in Cedar Rapids. It's right along the side of Highway 30, thus right next to several corn/soybean fields, although it's not directly in one (see Google Streets image here).

 

[GPhillips]

Here's a link to a surface plot at 23Z (6 PM CDT) on July 22 2005, the time of Mike's post about Onawa. None of the ASOS/AWOS sites had anything like what Onawa had. Plymouth State Weather Archive rocks.

 

[Josh Richardson]

Here's a link to a surface plot at 23Z (6 PM CDT) on July 22 2005, the time of Mike's post about Onawa. None of the ASOS/AWOS sites had anything like what Onawa had. Plymouth State Weather Archive rocks.

Thanks for that post, I also see it seems like that KORC site has the 86 dew again. Pretty clear some of these sites are skewed for whatever reason.

 

[Andrew Burnett]

All of the crops I've seen while out chasing look really lush and healthy too. I suppose that could be attributed to good biotech, but also If you look at this:
Drought Map
You will see that the only drought conditions are concentrated (in extremes) in the south.

that map is wrong or outdated... SE KS is as dry as I have ever seen it.. none of the corn has made and that is saying something.

 

[Jeff Snyder]

that map is wrong or outdated... SE KS is as dry as I have ever seen it.. none of the corn has made and that is saying something.

Andrew -- that's the official Drought Monitor, which is as official as it gets. That said, new maps are released every Thursday (based on data as of the preceding Tuesday), so that map is 1 week old. It'll automatically update tomorrow (Thurs), so check back then. There are other products available on the Current Conditions page. For example, the current Palmer Drought Severity Index does show southeastern KS in a "moderate drought", although much better off than areas to the west and south.

It typically takes time, remember, to develop a drought, oftentimes longer than it takes for agriculture to begin to suffer. Note that southeastern KS is outlined in "A", which means that the effects are largely agricultural.

 

[Jeff Duda]

The issues with automated sensors were displayed nicely in today's IEM feature. Basically it indicates that AWOS sensors have notable errors that make it seem as if dewpoints are higher than they are.

 

[Jonathan Whitehead]

Curious why this thread stopped at July 21. This heat wave is still going and by the looks of things, shows no signs of stopping. Believe this week will be the hottest week for central US all summer. When it hits 100 at 11am in parts of KS/OK/TX u know you got a record setting heat wave on your hands.

Also, Im curious how this heat wave compares to 1980. From everything Ive looked at that seems to be the benchmark or the ruler with regards to past heat waves. Now I wasnt alive in 1980 but my mom was and she was living in DFW at the time and she recalls it being almost 100 at midnight when she went for her jog. The heat wave of 1980 featured 42 consecutive days of 100+ with 2 seperate 10 consecutive day stretches of 105+ and 69 overall days of 100+. I know a lot of heat records in OKC also date back to 1980. I think DFW will ultimately reach the 50s in terms of consecutive days AOA 100. Also here in San Angelo we've already set our overall 100+ record and are just adding to it. Record was 61 overall days. We'll prob end up somewhere in the neighborhood of 75 to 80+.

 

[Jeff Duda]

Soil temperatures are pretty ridiculous, too. Soil temperatures will heavily influence the daytime and especially nighttime temperatures as the energy within re-radiates back into the atmosphere and keeps it hot even at night. Looking at the Oklahoma Mesonet, there are some variations, but everyone in the state is above 80 F, and some places are over 90 F for daily-averaged 4" soil temps. Some locations are over 100 F at any instant. Looking at the IEM, most locations are in the low-80s. Looking at the West Texas Mesonet, again, many stations are in the 80s and 90s. Soil moisture is also pretty low. Unfortunately these conditions represent a positive feedback loop wherein hot temperatures and lack of precipitation dry out the soil which lowers the Bowen ratio and begets continued hot and dry atmospheric conditions and dry soils. Hopefully a tropical system can make its way into the region before too long. Don was a disappointment, and Emily looks to curve north well before making it into the Gulf of Mexico. Hopefully something will come along and end it soon.

 

[Albert Rodriguez]

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/

 

[Stephen Levine]

It's been almost unbelievable. It was 103 degrees last eve at 8 pm in the City (Love Field Airport, Dallas). I decided to not let the heat beat me and went on a bike ride, which I started by soaking my t-shirt in water before leaving. Within 12 minutes, the front of my shirt was bone dry, and within another 5 minutes, the back of my shirt was bone dry. In addition, the hot wind, akin to opening an oven door when bread is baking -burned my eyeballs. Yesterday morning, it was 90 degrees at 8 a.m.
On 8/2, it was 100 degrees at 9 pm, feeling hotter than 11 a.m.when I took a work break and sun had been shining for several hours.
To increase morale, I have reminded some of my co-workers to consider that it will likely be in the 30's in 5 months and all this heat will be history.
For relief, I went on a storm chase on Sunday to East Texas - about 20 miles W. of Sulphur Springs. Thunderheads had been exploding in that region for a couple hours. By the time I reached it, the storm was swiftly evaporating way.

 

[cstrunk]

As of this morning, Tyler, TX has hit 100+ degrees for 42 consecutive days. The total number of 100+ degree days is at 54. The total number of 105+ degree days is an astonishing 14. The 7 day forecast still calls for 100+ degrees every day. There is a good chance we make it to 50+ consecutive days.

The average number of days that it hits 100+ degrees is 7.

 

[Andy Jackson]

88 degree dewpoint record: MN

I stumbled on this interesting fact today:
Minnesota record dew point

I think there was some controversy initially concerning the local moisture enhancement but it looks like they decided to allow it as a record.

 

[Stephen Levine]

I have just posted an excellent photo and story documentary of our severe heat and drought here in N. Texas.
It shows through words and photos some of what has been heavy on our hearts as we look to the sky for relief. It includes dying trees, large cracks across the earth and more..Feel free to check it out on www.joyfulstormhunting.com

 

[cstrunk]

Update for Tyler, TX...

Consecutive days of 100+ temps ended at 46, as one day of leftover clouds from a large storm complex from the north kept temperatures a few degrees below 100. Since that day we have resumed the relentless heat pattern of 100+ temps. Total 100+ temp days now stands at 64. 105+ temp days is up to 23. No big changes in sight. Today's forecast calls for 108 degrees...

Yesterday evening we were lucky enough to have a small thunderstorm pop up and move through, which provided some much needed relief (but not nearly enough) only after it had already reached 106 degrees for the high.