Excessive Heat Coming Wednesday, Late Week Storms Likely
WBBJ 7 Forecast Update
WBBJ 7 Forecast Update:
Another heat dome is setting up across the Mid South on Wednesday. Many of us in West Tennessee will encounter heat indices of 110° or higher between noon-6pm. An approaching cold front will get close enough to produce some late evening storms in our northern counties. There is a better shot for rain on the 4th of July and again on Friday. If you have travel plans to the Caribbean for the holiday, please keep an eye on Hurricane Beryl and where it is tracking and when. Catch a full report, coming up here.
TONIGHT:
Southerly winds returned on Tuesday and that led to the an increase in the humidity and temperatures across West Tennessee. Highs were back up into the mid 90s. A heat advisory and excessive heat warning has been issued for all areas in West Tennessee for Wednesday, but the numbers were too low on Tuesday due to the humidity being quite manageable. The feels like temperature was between 100-105° in the afternoon and evening hours. Expect clear skies and only a few clouds overnight. The winds will stay light out of the southeast around 5 MPH. Rain is NOT in the forecast tonight and lows will fall down to the mid 70s.
WEDNESDAY:
A heat advisory and excessive heat warnings are out on Wednesday as highs will reach the mid to upper 90s. On top of the heat, southwest winds will make for a humid day as well. The heat index will be between 105-110° for several hours. Skies will be mostly sunny and a heat or humidity driven shower or two cannot be ruled out, especially Wednesday night in our northern counties. Wednesday night lows will only fall to the mid to upper 70s.
4TH OF JULY:
Showers and storm chances will return on Independence across the Mid South. A cold front will approach from the northwest but will not pass through until Friday. The showers and storms will increase into the late evening and become more widespread after the sun goes down. A few might impact some of the firework shows Thursday night. Not everyone is going to see the rain during the day as chances are only 40%, but that number increases to 70% Thursday night.
Severe weather seems unlikely, but a couple of gusty storms cannot be ruled out. That being said, do not cancel your plans, but stay weather aware in the evening hours. Highs will make it into the mid 90s still so it will be hot in the afternoon. Thursday night lows will again fall into the mid 70s. The winds will still come out of the southwest all day long. Skies will start out mostly sunny, then a partly cloudy afternoon and mostly cloudy night.
FRIDAY:
The rainiest day in the forecast this week is going to be Friday. Showers and storms look likely at times. A couple could be strong as the cold front slides by. Be sure to monitor the forecast this week if you have outdoor plans on Friday. Highs will reach around 90° and Friday night lows will fall down to around 70° behind the front. The winds will come out of the west most of the day before transitions to the northwest Friday night. Expect mostly cloudy skies with only a few breaks to get the sun out. Chances for rain on Friday are at 70% as of now.
THE WEEKEND:
The forecast this weekend looks to be a bit cooler with the northwest winds on Saturday behind Friday’s cold front. This means will be most likely be dry Saturday afternoon and evening. The winds will shift to the south on Sunday starting to warm us back up a bit. Highs on Saturday will reach the upper 80s and low 90s are expected on Sunday. Expect some clouds early in the day on Saturday that will try to break up into the afternoon. Sunday looks to be a mostly sunny day but there still will be some clouds. Sunday looks to be a dry day as well for most of the Mid South.
FINAL THOUGHT:
After a mild start to the week, the heat is on the way for the middle of the week. More heat advisories are expected. If you have outdoor plans this 4th of July or the Friday after, be prepared to find shelter just in case a storm is heading your way. Please have a way to be alerted to any storms that might develop when you will be outdoors celebrating the 4th of July. We will be watching everything closely in the 7 Storm Team Weather Center this week. Stay cool in the middle of the week as it is going to get very hot again.
TROPICAL UPDATE:
Here is the latest on Category 4 Major Hurricane Beryl:
LOCATION...15.9N 70.8W ABOUT 125 MI...205 KM SSE OF ISLA BEATA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ABOUT 420 MI...680 KM ESE OF KINGSTON JAMAICA MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...155 MPH...250 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 22 MPH...35 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...943 MB...27.85 INCHES
Maximum sustained winds are near 155 mph (250 km/h) with higher gusts. Beryl is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Weakening is forecast during the next day or two. However, Beryl is forecast to be at or near major hurricane intensity while it passes near Jamaica on Wednesday and the Cayman Islands on Wednesday night. Additional weakening is expected thereafter, though Beryl is forecast to remain a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean.
HEAT SAFETY TIPS:
The CDC reports that around 700 people per year die from heat related deaths. It’s important to know the signs of heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or a heat stroke.
The best way to beat the heat is to know the signs of these heat related illnesses, stay hydrated, and try to keep cool.
Heat exhaustion is a very serious heat related illness. According to the CDC, the following are signs of heat exhaustion:
• Heavy sweating
• Cold, pale, and clammy skin
• Fast, weak pulse
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fainting (passing out)
And the CDC recommends the following for someone who is suffering from heat exhaustion:
• Move to a cool place
• Loosen your clothes
• Put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath
• Sip water
Get medical help right away if:
• You are throwing up
• Your symptoms get worse
• Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour
Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures or heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, if not cautious.
According to the CDC website the following are signs of Heat Stroke:
• High body temperature (103°F or higher)
• Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
• Fast, strong pulse
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Losing consciousness (passing out)
And the best way according to the CDC to treat heat stroke is to do the following:
• Call 911 right away, heat stroke is a medical emergency
• Move the person to a cooler place
• Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
• Do not give the person anything to drink
The severe heat can cause other heat related illnesses. Sunburns, sometimes severe, are always a possibility with exposure to sun. It is so important to always wear sunscreen and try to wear clothing or accessories like hats to prevent sun damage.
Stay informed of heat related illnesses, drink plenty of water and stay hydrated, and be mindful of feeling overheated. Seek shelter from the sun and hot temps when its possible, and keep a check on relatives or friends who may be affected by the extreme temperatures.
Find our more information on heat related illnesses and prevention from the CDC website here.
For tips on preparing for storms, click here. To download the WBBJ 7 Weather app, click here.
Storm Team Chief Meteorologist
Joel Barnes
Facebook: @JoelBarnesWeather
Twitter: @JoelBarnes13
Instagram: @joelbarnes13
