Wishing for rain amid this Texas heat wave? Wait a few more weeks, meteorologist says
Tarrant County is in extreme drought conditions, with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees consistently this summer.
According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, this is the 10th driest year in the county in the past 128 years.
Tom Bradshaw, National Weather Service meteorologist, said the consistent heat is due to a ridge of high pressure that has impacted the central part of the United States since June. High pressure ridges are not unprecedented — it typically follows an ebb and flow pattern with breaks of rain or cooler temperatures — however that’s not the case this year.
Under ridges of high pressure, air sinks toward the Earth’s surface and often diminishes any cloud cover and rain opportunities, Bradshaw said, causing dry air and clear sunny skies.
On June 14, part of North Texas saw a break toward the east with some rain but most of the western and northern parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex stayed dry.
Bradshaw said it’s difficult to find the exact cause of this year’s persistent high pressure ridge and that it’s part of the variability of weather. The last time North Texas saw high pressure like this year was in 2011.
Urban areas, especially the downtown areas of Fort Worth and Dallas, tend to absorb solar radiation in concrete and building materials keeping temperatures warm throughout the night.
“We don’t see a lot of relief for at least the next couple of weeks,” Bradshaw said. “Beyond that it gets a little bit difficult to really hang your hat on a particular solution for a model beyond that time.”
North Texans should expect more 100 degree days for the next couple of weeks with nights staying in the upper 70s and lowers 80s.
Since May 1, MedStar has responded to 506 heat-related calls, 271 more calls than last year with the amount of serious heat-related cases up from 50 to 88 this year.
Bradshaw said it’s important to keep heat safety top of mind as summer continues. Limiting outdoor time, staying hydrated, checking on elderly friends and family, and double checking the backs of cars for children and pets are some ways to keep safe.
This story was originally published July 18, 2022 at 11:25 AM.
