FIRST WEATHER WARNING DAYS | First heatwave of the season

(WSAZ) — A heat advisory is in effect today as afternoon temperatures will climb above 30 degrees and the “heat index” will be near 38 degrees. The heat index is a measure of the amplifying effect of humidity on air temperatures… How hot would a “dry heat” have to be to feel similar and have the same negative health effects? We officially hit 32 degrees this year just yesterday, and now we’re being hurled headlong into temperatures that would be the hottest of an average year. Simply put, we’re not prepared for it, and we won’t get used to it. We’re going to have to adjust before we feel any real relief — it’s going to be hot here all week. Even nights above 70 degrees will be uncomfortable without reliable air conditioning. If it gets hot enough, a few isolated thunderstorms will move in this afternoon, but not many people will experience that kind of temporary relief.

A summer high pressure system is controlling the situation off the east coast, which puts us in a southerly flow that pulls down the mountains and keeps the heat going. There may also be a few scattered showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon heat on Tuesday, but again, not enough to rely on a permanent cooling of the heat. On Wednesday, some clouds will split the sky, but the persistent heat will still push us back into the 30s. On Thursday and Friday, we have a chance of 30+ degrees on the thermometer, hoping the humidity drops a little to compensate (it’s still sweltering though). Often, heatwaves like this only end with a series of strong/severe thunderstorms, but unfortunately that’s not looking like it this week or even the weekend. Hopefully, we’re so conscious of our heat protection measures that they become second nature and we can get through these days a little easier. Summer officially starts on Thursday, and by then we’ll already be in “dog days” shape!