Record-breaking heat to persist across the South this weekend
By
Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist
Published Mar 27, 2020 7:58 AM EDT
As an expansive dome of high pressure continues to remain parked over the Gulf of Mexico and the southern United States, record-challenging heat will continue for many areas that have already smashed records this week.
Going into the weekend, the stretch of summerlike heat allowed, New Orleans to set daily high temperature records six days in a row. Cooler air will begin to filter into the area on Sunday, but temperatures may still challenge the record high temperature of 83.
Zapata, Texas, also observed temperatures well above the century mark during the day on Thursday, tying the all-time highest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. during the month of March at 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The last time this was reached was in Rio Grande City, Texas, on March 31, 1954.
All of this heat and humidity in place across the South also acted as one of the driving factors behind severe thunderstorms that erupted across the center of the country on Saturday.
With many area beaches, especially across the state of Florida, being closed due to COVID-19 concerns, typical activities people resort to when trying to beat the heat will not be available during this stretch of summerlike weather.
With other area businesses closing down due to similar concerns, AccuWeather forecasters are worried this record-challenging heat could be even more dangerous.
"My concern is certain businesses may have helped people to get out of the heat, and now, some people may not be as fortunate to have a place to cool off during the hottest part of the day," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski said.
"The heat index could conceivably get to 105 degrees in parts of Florida. And of course when it gets to 105 your body starts stressing out trying to keep your body temperature down," Kottlowski added.
For those across the South that may not have air conditioning units or other means to cool down, the heat could become a health concern.
The heat and humidity can also put an additional strain on medical staff working in COVID-19 triage tents which are popping up at an increased pace across the South.
People keeping their social distance by spending time outdoors will want to make sure they stay properly hydrated and protected from the sun by wearing hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. If you must work outside, taking frequent breaks in the shade and drinking plenty of water or electrolyte beverages will greatly lower the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Remember to never leave children or pets in a sealed vehicle for any length of time. The temperature inside the vehicle can rise to lethal levels in a matter of minutes, even during the early spring months.
The record-challenging heat will begin to erode in a west-to-east fashion on Sunday as a powerful storm system sweeps across the country, but not before another day of widespread record-challenging heat across the Southeast.
By Sunday, temperatures closer to seasonable averages in the 70s F will replace afternoon high temperatures in the 80s and 90s in most of the South Central states and locales across the lower Mississippi Valley.
Meanwhile, the heat will continue across the Southeast on Sunday. Temps in Orlando are expected to approach record levels once again, with highs in the lower to middle 90s expected. Temperatures in the middle 80s could even extend as far north as Virginia Beach to round out the weekend.
Into early week, the heat will begin to diminish across the South, as a storm is expected to bring rounds of rain and thunderstorms to most places that will experience record-challenging heat in the coming days.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Weather Forecasts
Record-breaking heat to persist across the South this weekend
By Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist
Published Mar 27, 2020 7:58 AM EDT
As an expansive dome of high pressure continues to remain parked over the Gulf of Mexico and the southern United States, record-challenging heat will continue for many areas that have already smashed records this week.
Going into the weekend, the stretch of summerlike heat allowed, New Orleans to set daily high temperature records six days in a row. Cooler air will begin to filter into the area on Sunday, but temperatures may still challenge the record high temperature of 83.
Zapata, Texas, also observed temperatures well above the century mark during the day on Thursday, tying the all-time highest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. during the month of March at 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The last time this was reached was in Rio Grande City, Texas, on March 31, 1954.
All of this heat and humidity in place across the South also acted as one of the driving factors behind severe thunderstorms that erupted across the center of the country on Saturday.
With many area beaches, especially across the state of Florida, being closed due to COVID-19 concerns, typical activities people resort to when trying to beat the heat will not be available during this stretch of summerlike weather.
With other area businesses closing down due to similar concerns, AccuWeather forecasters are worried this record-challenging heat could be even more dangerous.
"My concern is certain businesses may have helped people to get out of the heat, and now, some people may not be as fortunate to have a place to cool off during the hottest part of the day," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski said.
"The heat index could conceivably get to 105 degrees in parts of Florida. And of course when it gets to 105 your body starts stressing out trying to keep your body temperature down," Kottlowski added.
For those across the South that may not have air conditioning units or other means to cool down, the heat could become a health concern.
Related:
The heat and humidity can also put an additional strain on medical staff working in COVID-19 triage tents which are popping up at an increased pace across the South.
People keeping their social distance by spending time outdoors will want to make sure they stay properly hydrated and protected from the sun by wearing hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. If you must work outside, taking frequent breaks in the shade and drinking plenty of water or electrolyte beverages will greatly lower the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Remember to never leave children or pets in a sealed vehicle for any length of time. The temperature inside the vehicle can rise to lethal levels in a matter of minutes, even during the early spring months.
The record-challenging heat will begin to erode in a west-to-east fashion on Sunday as a powerful storm system sweeps across the country, but not before another day of widespread record-challenging heat across the Southeast.
By Sunday, temperatures closer to seasonable averages in the 70s F will replace afternoon high temperatures in the 80s and 90s in most of the South Central states and locales across the lower Mississippi Valley.
Meanwhile, the heat will continue across the Southeast on Sunday. Temps in Orlando are expected to approach record levels once again, with highs in the lower to middle 90s expected. Temperatures in the middle 80s could even extend as far north as Virginia Beach to round out the weekend.
Into early week, the heat will begin to diminish across the South, as a storm is expected to bring rounds of rain and thunderstorms to most places that will experience record-challenging heat in the coming days.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo