Extreme Heat Threatens Central Plains, Midwest, Eastern U.S.

Deadly heat here to stay

Triple digit temperatures to scorch many areas from central Texas to the Canadian border

Central plains states to remain under heat alerts as the high pressure system responsible for the extreme heat inches toward the East Coast: NWS

Heat Warnings, Watches and Advisories are in effect for parts of 18 central Plains and Midwest states, including:

• North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.

Hazards Assessment Map

NWS has forecast that excessive heat will persist from today through July 29 in all the eastern half of the country except for the Northeast. Click image to enlarge.

U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set in July 2011

Total of 1,048 records Broken (541), or tied (507) so far. Source: National Climatic Data Center. Click map to enlarge.

US Hazards Map

Maximum Heat Index (ºF) – July 20, 2011 forecast by NWS.

The high pressure ridge will cause high temperatures and high heat indices forecast at higher than 100ºF plus for Mon/Tues, and 105ºF plus for Wed/Thurs/Fri, NWS said.

Prognosis by NWS
A large ridge of high pressure in the upper levels of the Atmosphere remains in place across the central U.S., keeping hot temperatures in place. The hot temperatures combined with high relative humidity will create dangerous heat indices well above 100 degrees over a large portion of the nation. The upper-level ridge will begin to expand eastward this week. By midweek, the hot temperatures will begin to spread into the eastern states,  with high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s arriving in the Mid-Atlantic states as soon as Wednesday. High temperatures in excess of 100 degrees will be possible by Thursday across much of the Mid-Atlantic states and parts of the southeast U.S. these triple-digit temperatures are forecast to remain in place across the eastern U.S. through the weekend.

UPDATE @ 13:00UTC

The heat wave that has been affecting much of the central U.S. continues to produce dangerous levels of heat and  humidity from the Dakotas to Texas and eastward into the Ohio Valley. Heat index values as high as 131°F (55ºC) were reported yesterday and excessive heat watches, warnings and heat advisories are in effect today for a large portion of the central U.S., with temperatures in many locations exceeding 90 degrees, but feeling like 100-110 degrees or higher with the high humidity factored in. The large area of high pressure responsible for the excessive heat will expand eastward over the next several days, with high temperatures in the mid to upper-90s reaching the Mid-Atlantic states by tomorrow, and nearing 100 degrees by Thursday across the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Southeast. Excessive heat is forecast to grip most of the eastern half of the country — with the exception of the Northeast and southern Florida — through at least the weekend.

Summary of today’s weather for the central United States include:

• Dangerous heat continues in the Plains and gradually builds toward the East Coast
• Severe storms possible from the Ohio Valley into the Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic, and the Northern Plains
• A heavy rain threat extends from the Upper Texas Coast to the Central Gulf Coast (Source: NWS)

Related Links

• Killer Heatwave Returns
• Deadly Heat Grips Central United States
• US Weather: SW, SE Continue to Boil
• Entering 2nd Stage of New Climatic Extremes
• Dangerous heat spreads to Mid-Atlantic
• Dangerous heat, exceptional drought, severe storms, major flooding
• Mega Heatwaves Could Kill Thousands in the U.S.
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Brace for the Worst Ever
• WARNING: Global Disasters to Intensify
• Global Climate Extremes INTENSIFYING

Climate-Related Links

• U.S. Climate June: Extremes of Temp and Precipitation
• Epic flood threats through summer as more rain predicted
• Major Dust Storm Moves Across Arizona
• NO CHANCE: Malnourished kids fleeing Somalia’s drought

External Links

• Heat Safety Information

Killer Heatwave Returns

Deadly Weather Set to Return This Week

A strong upper level ridge of high pressure shown below (500mb heights) will remain entrenched across central US, strengthening during the early part of the week, and moving into the Ohio Valley later in the week, NWS said

The  system will cause potentially deadly weather with heat and humidity prevailing.

Maximum Heat Index (ºF) – July 20, 2011 forecast by NWS.

Chance of Mean Heat Index > 100ºF. Click images to enlarge.

Chance of Mean Heat Index > 105ºF. Click images to enlarge.

 

• Text of MEAN Heat Index Probability Forecasts for Eastern US
• Text of MEAN Heat Index Probability Forecasts for Western US

Hazard Assessment Map: EXCESSIVE HEAT

Oppressive Heat and Humidity Set to Return

Excessive Heat Warnings, Watches and Advisories Issued for 3 Dozen States

The high pressure ridge will cause high temperatures and high heat indices forecast at higher than 100ºF plus for Mon/Tues, and 105ºF plus for Wed/Thurs/Fri, NWS said.

Selected Weather Stories

Synopsis: After a stretch of warm summer like temperatures, the longest stretch of oppressive heat and humidty of the season is upon us.  Temperatures will continue to climb through the 90s by the end of the weekend with dew points remaining elevated.  By the new work week, temperatures are expected to build towards or even past the 100 degree mark in portions of Missouri and are expected to surpass 100 degrees over much of Kansas.  However, humidity values will be lower.  Unfortunately, heat index readings will climb between 105 and 115 each day through next Friday.  Little in the way of nighttime relief is expected due to light winds and temperatures remaining near 80 degrees.

An excessive heat warning is in effect for much of Kansas and Missouri through 7pm Friday.  This is a dangerous situation!  Please check on relatives, neighbors, and friends who may not have resources to stay cool in these conditions.  Drink plenty of fluids and refrain from long periods of outdoor exposure; heat related illnesses can occur in minutes. (Source: NWS)

Sunny, hot and humid conditions with highs up to 105 through at least mid-week. Elevated humidity levels will help create high heat index values, resulting in an Excessive Heat Warning to be in effect across the region into mid-week. NWS

Related Links

• Deadly Heat Grips Central United States
• US Weather: SW, SE Continue to Boil
• Entering 2nd Stage of New Climatic Extremes
• Dangerous heat spreads to Mid-Atlantic
• Dangerous heat, exceptional drought, severe storms, major flooding
• Mega Heatwaves Could Kill Thousands in the U.S.
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Brace for the Worst Ever
• WARNING: Global Disasters to Intensify
• Global Climate Extremes INTENSIFYING

Climate-Related Links

• U.S. Climate June: Extremes of Temp and Precipitation
• Epic flood threats through summer as more rain predicted
• Major Dust Storm Moves Across Arizona
• NO CHANCE: Malnourished kids fleeing Somalia’s drought

External Links

• Heat Safety Information
• Weekend high/low temperature forecasts for central United States

Deadly Heat Grips Central United States

Killer Heat Already Claimed Dozens of Lives

Deadly heat has taken over weather conditions in the central United States; forecast to last through next week

Heat warnings, watches and advisories have been issued from Texas to the Canadian border and from the High Plains to the western Great Lakes.

Deadly heat already claimed dozens of lives and has now taken over weather conditions in the central United States; forecast to last well into next week. NWS has issued heat warnings, watches and advisories have been issued from Texas to the Canadian border and from the High Plains to the western Great Lakes. Click image to enlarge. 

U.S. Weather Hazards Map. Click image to enter interactive portal.

Weather highlights for the central United States include:

• Dangerous heat beginning to build from the southern and central Plains to the North
• Severe weather threat from the central and northern Plains into the Upper Mississippi Valley [Source: NWS]

Excerpts from NWS Weather Forecast

• Heat and humidity that has stagnated across the southern Plains will spread through the central Plains into the Dakotas, today, bringing a possibility of triple-digit high temperatures through the weekend and into the first half of next week.
• Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for parts of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
• Heat Advisories are in effect for parts of Oklahoma and Texas.
• Excessive Heat Watches will go into effect Saturday for portions of the central and northern Plains and the Midwest, including the Dakotas, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

• . . . the heat will be relentless over a 16-state area in the heart of the country, lasting into the latter half of next week. The central Plains will see excessive heat continue from July 17-21 and triple-digit highs will bake the southern half of the Atlantic Coast July 19-27.

Official Death Toll

• As of July 14, 2011, the official toll from the killer heat waves in the U.S. was reported at 39 fatalities.

U.S. Flood Map

U.S. Flood Map: 88 sites were at Major, Moderate or Minor Flooding stage as of 07/16/2011 at 09:01:15 am EDT / 07/16/2011 13:01:15UTC

76 sites weer at Near Flood stage as of 07/16/2011 at 09:01:15 am EDT.

In Mega Heatwaves Could Kill Thousands in the U.S. posted on July 11, 2011 FIRE-EARTH warned:

Deadly heatwaves of unprecedented intensity could strike the U.S. in 2011 and beyond, claiming tens of thousands of lives and affecting millions more: FIRE-EARTH Climate Model

Please cite FIRE-EARTH as the source for above forecast, if you’re copying/re-writing this information.

Related Links

• US Weather: SW, SE Continue to Boil
• Entering 2nd Stage of New Climatic Extremes
• Dangerous heat spreads to Mid-Atlantic
• Dangerous heat, exceptional drought, severe storms, major flooding
• Mega Heatwaves Could Kill Thousands in the U.S.
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Brace for the Worst Ever
• WARNING: Global Disasters to Intensify
• Global Climate Extremes INTENSIFYING

Climate-Related Links

• U.S. Climate June: Extremes of Temp and Precipitation
• Epic flood threats through summer as more rain predicted
• Major Dust Storm Moves Across Arizona
• NO CHANCE: Malnourished kids fleeing Somalia’s drought

External Links

• Heat Safety Information
• Weekend high/low temperature forecasts for central United States

US Weather: SW, SE Continue to Boil

Dangerously hot and humid conditions, flooding and severe weather

Unrelenting heat to continue unabated in the SW and south-central Plains and parts of the Southeast: NWS

Excessive heat is forecast to return “with a vengeance through much of next week.” The NWS hazards assessment map indicates excessive heat would return to two regions, covering parts of at least 24 states. Click image to enlarge.

Triple digit temperatures with heat index of about 120 degrees (49ºC) forecast across the South Thursday, with “no end in sight for the blazing temperatures.”

“Excessive Heat Watches and Warnings and Heat Advisories are in effect over a dozen states and high temperatures are expected to spread again across more of the South.” Forecasters said.

Excessive heat is forecast to return “with a vengeance through much of next week” to two regions covering at least 24 states. See above map.

Thursday’s weather hazards include:

• Dangerously hot and humid conditions across the Southeast
• Flooding continues and worsens in some parts of the northern and central Plains
• Severe weather will be a threat in the north-central Plains and the Upper Midwest

High temperatures for today in parts of the country hoping for relief include:

• Texas: Dallas 101, San Antonio 99, Waco 104, Wichita Falls 106
• Oklahoma: Oklahoma City 101, Tulsa 100, Woodward 101
• Kansas: Dodge City 100, Garden City 100, Goodland 94, Hill City 99, Topeka 94, Wichita 99
• Missouri: Kansas City 91
• Arkansas: Fort Smith 99, Pine Bluff 94
• Louisiana: Shreveport 100
• Mississippi: Tupelo 96

Daily high temperatures through Monday would be in triple digits (NWS forecast), including:

• 105 degrees or more in Wichita Falls, 102 or higher in Waco
• 100-102 in Wichita, 100-105 in Dodge City, 102 and higher in Hill City

U.S. Weather Hazards Map. Click image to enter interactive portal.

Related Links

• Entering 2nd Stage of New Climatic Extremes
• Dangerous heat spreads to Mid-Atlantic
• Dangerous heat, exceptional drought, severe storms, major flooding
• Mega Heatwaves Could Kill Thousands in the U.S.
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Brace for the Worst Ever
• WARNING: Global Disasters to Intensify
• Global Climate Extremes INTENSIFYING

Climate-Related Links

• U.S. Climate June: Extremes of Temp and Precipitation
• Epic flood threats through summer as more rain predicted
• Major Dust Storm Moves Across Arizona
• NO CHANCE: Malnourished kids fleeing Somalia’s drought

External Links

• Heat Safety Information

Entering 2nd Stage of New Climatic Extremes

Accelerating Toward Extremes

The second stage of  a new phase of climatic extremes has begun: FIRE-EARTH Models

United States: Killer heat to persist, as death toll climbs to at least 42

Worst of the heat grips parts of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas

Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings remain in effect today for parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia: NWS

The NWS hazards assessment map indicates excessive heat would persist in a 15-state area from North Dakota to southern Texas. The impacted area includes parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. Click image to enlarge.

Killer Heat Stats

• U.S. heat wave has killed at least 39 people, as of July 13.

• About half the U.S. population (at least 150 million people) have been affected by the killer heat.
• In Wichita, Kansas the temperature exceeded 100 degrees for the 21st consecutive day.
• In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, temperatures hovered around 100 degrees for the 15th consecutive day.
• Phoenix has experienced 34 consecutive days  at 100+ degrees.
• Dallas has seen 12 days at 100+ degrees.
• The searing heat has killed tens of thousands of turkeys and chickens in Kansas and North Carolina. (Source)
• Temperature records have been matched or shattered about 700 times since July 1.

Severe Thunderstorm

SPC has received 118 (filtered) reports of severe weather for Tuesday, including 3 tornadoes in northeastern Colorado, 89 reports of high winds and 26 reports of large hail. “There were numerous reports of winds in the 55-73 mph range reported in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma,” SPC said.

“A severe thunderstorm in southeastern Wyoming dumped prodigious amounts of hail on Cheyenne and the surrounding area. The storm produced quarter-sized to golf ball sized hail that fell continuously for more than 35 minutes beginning around 5:25 p.m. CST. Accompanied by 1.46 inches of rain that fell in about 30 minutes, the hail formed drifts more than a foot deep. There was considerable hail damage to the city, including broken windshields on numerous vehicles. The heavy rain and hail created flash flood conditions in much of southwestern and western Cheyenne and Warren Air Force Base.” NWS said.

Flooding

Severe weather in the Missouri River Basin  could intensify flooding problems from the Dakotas to Missouri.

Barrier and levee breaches have occurred in Carroll County, Missouri, about 60 miles east of Kansas City, threatening dozens of communities, according to reports.

At least 12 square miles of farmland were submerged in Carroll County, after a primary levee breach along the Missouri River on Monday.

Flooding is ongoing at at least 88 stream gauge sites in the United States, mostly along the Missouri River, as of posting. Another 84 sites were Near Flood.

U.S. Flood map [July 14, 2011]

Sites at Near Flood stage.

Related Links

• Dangerous heat spreads to Mid-Atlantic
• Dangerous heat, exceptional drought, severe storms, major flooding
• Mega Heatwaves Could Kill Thousands in the U.S.
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Brace for the Worst Ever
• WARNING: Global Disasters to Intensify
• Global Climate Extremes INTENSIFYING

Climate-Related Links

• U.S. Climate June: Extremes of Temp and Precipitation
• Epic flood threats through summer as more rain predicted
• Major Dust Storm Moves Across Arizona
• NO CHANCE: Malnourished kids fleeing Somalia’s drought