The main pattern affecting the southeast is that upper-level high pressure ridge over the U.S. This pattern is causing the near record heat in much of the region. This high is centered over the lower Mississippi Valley. Currently, the eastern half of the region is seeing north-northeasterly flow bringing some lower dewpoints in the 50s to help dry out the area and lower rain chances.
More towards the west in Texas and Louisiana, winds are out of the south and southeast advecting moist air from the Gulf of Mexico with dewpoints in the upper 60s.
Upper-level pattern (left) and 850mb dew points (right) on Tuesday. || Courtesy: Pivotal Weather
As the week progresses, the ridge will flatten out and move back to the west bringing even hotter temperatures to parts of the Southeast. Places inland will see the highest temperatures reaching 100F. Heat indices are expected to surpass 100F as well.
Check with your local NWS office to see if any heat advisories or warning are issued.
This heat can become dangerous if proper precautions are not taken such as staying hydrated and limiting your time outdoors. Very little rain to help drop temperatures is expected over the Southeast over the next few days. The best rain chances would be near the Gulf as the sea breeze tries to initiate convection, but that seems limited.
Rain and thunderstorm chances increase as we head into the weekend as humidity will increase in places such as Florida, the Gulf Coast, and lower southeast states. Scattered storms could develop on the eastern side of the ridge as it progresses west.
Upper-level high pressure over Texas on Thursday (left) and temperatures increasing to over 100F in more inland locations on Thursday afternoon (right). || Courtesy: Pivotal Weather
Day-to-Day Forecast
Dallas
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
High: 103
High: 102
High: 104
Low: 81
Low: 80
Low: 83
Precip: None
Precip: None
Precip: None
Houston
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
High: 98
High: 98
High: 100
Low: 83
Low: 80
Low: 80
Precip: 20-percent
Precip: None
Precip: None
New Orleans
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
High: 92
High: 95
High: 98
Low: 80
Low: 82
Low: 82
Precip: 30-percent
Precip: None
Precip: 10-percent
Little Rock
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
High: 98
High: 98
High: 99
Low: 75
Low: 76
Low: 75
Precip: None
Precip: None
Precip: None
Memphis
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
High: 98
High: 100
High: 99
Low: 78
Low: 79
Low: 75
Precip: None
Precip: None
Precip: None
Birmingham
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
High: 96
High: 98
High: 98
Low: 75
Low: 75
Low: 76
Precip: None
Precip: None
Precip: None
Atlanta
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
High: 97
High: 99
High: 99
Low: 72
Low: 76
Low: 76
Precip: None
Precip: None
Precip: None
Author of the article:
Brandon Lashbrook
Brandon is a degreed meteorologist with a Bachelors in Meteorology from Florida State University. At FSU, he worked on the FSU Weather show. Originally from Tampa Bay, FL, he will be at Fox 44/NBC 33 in Baton Rouge, LA as the weekend meteorologist in September.
