Houston could receive its first heat advisory for 2024 this weekend

After a small chance of rain north of Houston on Friday, the weather in Southeast Texas will be warm, dry and sunny through Memorial Day, with heat index values ​​up to 110 degrees. That could prompt the National Weather Service to issue Houston its first heat advisory of the year as early as Sunday.

Heat advisories are intended to warn the public that excessive heat could pose a health risk to people medically vulnerable to extreme temperatures, such as young children and the elderly. The conditions could also make anyone spending time outdoors more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

On Friday, air temperatures in Houston will reach the low 90s, but the heat index, or “feels like” temperature that takes humidity into account, will be between 101 and 103 degrees. However, a decent breeze with gusts exceeding 20 mph will provide some relief.

Humidity, or the level of water vapor in the air, can make our perception of heat seem much warmer than the actual temperature because the body cools through the evaporation of sweat from our skin. But such evaporation is not as effective when there is already too much moisture in the air.

The heat index takes all of this into account: the actual air temperature on Friday might be 94 degrees, but a high humidity level (for example, a dew point of 75 degrees) will make it feel like it’s more like 106.

WHAT IS THE HEAT INDEX: Here’s why Houston should pay more attention to the heat index

Unfortunately, we won’t see much relief in the heat at night as it will remain very muggy with lows near 80 degrees overnight.

To help us weather this weekend’s dreaded heat, the National Weather Service issued a challenge to the public in its daily forecast.

“Well, you can’t spell Houston without ‘hot’ and that will be the buzzword throughout the holiday weekend,” wrote Cameron Batiste, a meteorologist with the Weather Service’s Houston office. “To help you prepare for these hot temperatures, I challenge you to hydrate yourself by taking a sip of water every time you see words including hot or heat.”

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Earlier this week, Batiste noted that “the first average day of temperatures above 95 for the city of Houston is June 13, so this is an early season heat period and our bodies are not prepared for it.” are not yet used to it. He urged those planning to be outdoors to make sure they follow heat safety rules, such as:

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Water is best because alcohol and some carbonated drinks can actually dehydrate you.
• Take frequent breaks to protect yourself from the sun and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
• Wear loose or light clothing.
• Always look before locking your vehicle. Never leave a child or pet inside a vehicle, where temperatures can reach deadly levels within minutes on a hot day.
• Pay attention to the sidewalk in hot weather for pets. If the ground is too hot for the palm of your hand, then it is too hot for
  their paws.

Because it’s a holiday weekend, many will head to the beach for a much-needed respite from the oppressive city heat. However, you’ll need to watch out for dangerous currents lurking this weekend along the Texas Gulf Coast.

“Southeast winds will continue through next weekend, bringing a high risk of strong rip currents along Gulf-facing beaches,” said Jimmy Fowler, meteorologist with the Weather Service’s Houston office. Galveston.

BEACH SURVIVAL TIPS: Are you going to the beach on Memorial Day weekend? Expect rip currents

Here are some tips to help someone caught in a rip current:

• Carefully assess the situation and advise the person to swim parallel to the shore to escape the current.
• Get help from a lifeguard. If there is no rescuer, call 911.
• If possible, throw the person something that floats.
• If you must intervene, never enter without a flotation device. Many people have died trying to save someone caught in a rip current.

Mexico’s heat dome is holding strong this weekend with Southeast Texas under its strong influence. This high atmospheric pressure system extends from the eastern Pacific Ocean, across Mexico and into the western Gulf of Mexico.

WEATHER EXPLAINED: How a Mexican heat dome helped produce Houston’s rare derecho

Storm complexes developed on its northern boundary, leading to severe weather between Austin and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

A storm sparked a tornado in Temple Wednesday evening, causing damage to more than 20 businesses and overturning cars.

Another round of storms could form in Central Texas on Friday, but are unlikely to reach Houston.