The unrelenting August heat continues to hold its grip over Deep East Texas, due in large part to a big dome of hot, high pressure, centered right over the Southern Plain states.
This high pressure ridge started to expand and strengthen in June and has been stuck in neutral for most of the summer months. As a result, we have seen day after day of record heat and scorching temperatures across the Lone Star State.
A July Fry to Forget
This past July was the second warmest July on record at the Angelina County Airport, just south of Lufkin. The average temperature for that month was 86.9°, which was 4.3° above normal. The warmest average July on record took place in 1998, where the average temperature was 87.7°.
July was also historic in the number of 100° days we saw as well. The 16 occurrences was second all time, only to the July of 1998, where we saw the thermometer climb at or above the century mark 22 times that year. To put the frequency of triple digit days in perspective, we typically average about 3 triple digit days for the entire month of July.
Triple Digit Days Adding Up
As of today, we have now hit or exceeded the century mark 34 times in 2011. The highest frequency of 100° days in a single year was 42, which occurred in the hot summer of 1998. At the pace we are on right now, we will more than likely break that record.
The Drought a Major Player
The overriding factor for our sizzling summer temperatures has been the ongoing extreme to exceptional drought across the Texas Forest Country. With the soils being parched and extremely dry, there is no moisture to evaporate into the atmosphere. Therefore, it makes it a whole lot easier for the environment to heat up, especially when we get into the months of July and August.
Not as Oppressive, But Not Much Relief
As we head through the week, daytime highs are still expected to reach triple digit territory with relative ease. However, the dome of high pressure will not be as strong as last week and will be shifted slightly furthur to the west. This means that we will take an edge off the extreme heat and will see slight rain chances re-enter the picture.
This high pressure ridge started to expand and strengthen in June and has been stuck in neutral for most of the summer months. As a result, we have seen day after day of record heat and scorching temperatures across the Lone Star State.
A July Fry to Forget
This past July was the second warmest July on record at the Angelina County Airport, just south of Lufkin. The average temperature for that month was 86.9°, which was 4.3° above normal. The warmest average July on record took place in 1998, where the average temperature was 87.7°.
July was also historic in the number of 100° days we saw as well. The 16 occurrences was second all time, only to the July of 1998, where we saw the thermometer climb at or above the century mark 22 times that year. To put the frequency of triple digit days in perspective, we typically average about 3 triple digit days for the entire month of July.
Triple Digit Days Adding Up
As of today, we have now hit or exceeded the century mark 34 times in 2011. The highest frequency of 100° days in a single year was 42, which occurred in the hot summer of 1998. At the pace we are on right now, we will more than likely break that record.
The Drought a Major Player
The overriding factor for our sizzling summer temperatures has been the ongoing extreme to exceptional drought across the Texas Forest Country. With the soils being parched and extremely dry, there is no moisture to evaporate into the atmosphere. Therefore, it makes it a whole lot easier for the environment to heat up, especially when we get into the months of July and August.
Not as Oppressive, But Not Much Relief
As we head through the week, daytime highs are still expected to reach triple digit territory with relative ease. However, the dome of high pressure will not be as strong as last week and will be shifted slightly furthur to the west. This means that we will take an edge off the extreme heat and will see slight rain chances re-enter the picture.
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