Mostly Dry, VERY HOT/HUMID Through Saturday
WBBJ 7 Forecast Update
WBBJ 7 Forecast Update:
Well we made it through the first day of the West Tennessee heat wave, but we have 2 more days coming. It will feel as hot at 115° on Friday and 110° on Saturday. We can’t rule out of few showers or storms on Friday but most will stay northeast of Madison county. Storm and rain chances increase Saturday afternoon and evening though for everyone. Catch the full forecast including a look at the 4th of July and the latest on the heat and storm chances where you live coming up here.
TONIGHT:
The HEAT really got going on Thursday, highs made it up near 100°. On top of the heat, it was very humid with a heat index making it feel up to 110°+ plus in the afternoon and evening at times. An excessive heat warning remain in effect through Friday evening. An excessive heat watch is currently out for Saturday.
Skies were partly cloudy and we saw some showers or weak storms northeast of Madison county but we should be mostly dry tonight across the Mid South. Tuesday night will be very warm and humid with overnight lows only falling to the mid to upper 70s. The winds will come out of the southwest and be light all night long.
FRIDAY:
The intense heat continues on Friday. Friday highs will reach up to around 100° and the heat index could be as high as 115° in the afternoon and evening hours. We will be under an excessive heat warning that could be issued as well for Saturday. Friday night lows will remain quite hot and only fall down to the upper 70s due to the high dew point. Expect partly cloudy skies on Friday and expect a few heat and humidity driven pop up showers and weak storms but most will be east of Madison county. Chances for rain is around 10-20%. The winds will remain out of the southwest all day long.
THE WEEKEND:
The next front is going to approach sometime late this weekend. As the front passes we are expecting a round of showers and thunderstorms with the best chance being Sunday night. There is a chance some of the storms could be intense so if you have weekend plans be sure to monitor the forecast this week as the system gets a little closer. There could be a round of heat and humidity driven pop up showers and storms on Saturday as well, but don’t let that chance cause you to cancel your plans.
We are still expecting a very hot Saturday with highs again reaching the upper 90s to near 100°. Saturday will also remain humid and a heat advisory or excessive heat warning will likely be extended to start off the weekend. As the system approaches we are expecting a cool down and Sunday highs will probably be about 5° cooler, but still could reach up to the mid 90s. As the front gets closer late this weekend, we should fall to the low 70s for Monday morning but stay in the mid 70s to start Sunday. The winds will shift from the southwest and shift to the west late Sunday night into Monday morning. Skies will be partly cloudy but we will see periods of mostly cloudy skies as the front passes through.
NEXT WEEK:
The forecast next week looks pretty mild compared to this week. Skies in general will be partly cloudy and highs will make it up to the low 90s. Overnight lows will typically fall down to the low 70s and the winds will come out of the west or southwest all week long. Each afternoon and evening there will be a chance for some heat driven pop up showers and storms. How many and where exactly they are going to pop up each day will be difficult to forecast. There will likely be a few storm and showers on the 4th of July but most should clear out before the sunsets.
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.
FINAL THOUGHT:
Highs are expected to climb well above normal this week before cooling back down some again late this weekend into next week. We could be seeing our first 100° days of the year for most of us. There is a chance for showers late in the week and the next storm threat will be here late this weekend, so be sure to stay weather aware. You need to stay alert to changing weather patterns and monitor the forecasts closely. We got you covered in the WBBJ 7 Storm Team Weather Center as always.
For tips on preparing for the storms, click here. To download the WBBJ 7 Weather app, click here.
Storm Team Chief Meteorologist
Joel Barnes
Facebook: @JoelBarnesWeather
Twitter: @JoelBarnes13
Instagram: @joelbarnes13
