Heat Wave heading towards the Carolinas.

The cool start to summer is about to change dramatically to some of the hottest weather we have seen since last July. Last July was the last time we 100° heat in the Charlotte region when on the 29th and 30th of last year we hit 100° and 101° on back to back days. There is an outside chance we could approach the all-time record high for Charlotte which is 104° set on back to back days August 9th and 10th 2007. August 2007 was the last time we had 3 days in row with 100° highs and 6 days at 100° or high in the month.

The cause of this heat wave is a very strong mid and upper level ridge. When these ridges of high pressure stack up vertically in the atmosphere you literally have a mountain of air over you head. The sinking and compression of the air causes the air the heat up further. Then throw in lack of clouds, no rain and dry soil the heat wave can build upon itself and maintain heat for severe days.

Here’s that ridge that we sometimes call the “death ridge”:

The heat will slowly crank up starting Friday with highs approaching 100°. The heat peaks this weekend and Saturday or Sunday would be the day we could get very close to not only record highs but our all-time high 0f 104°.

Model Forecasts:

The only good news is the dewpoints should remain below 70° thus keeping the heat indices below 110°.

Heat Indices:

My Friday forecast is 100° the record is 102° set back in 1945.

Legend is on the left and everything pink is 100° plus!

My Saturday forecast is 102° the record is 102° set back in 1959.

My Sunday forecast is for 101° and the record high is 99° set in 1954.

Seems obvious but I always like to remind people of heat safety tips. You have to remember that your body temperatures is 98.6° and any time either the air temperatures or heat index goes above that you need help cooling your body. Our bodies just are as efficient at cooling as they are heating and that for a healthy person. The ill, old and the young have even tougher times cooling their bodies with out help from water, air conditioners or fans.

Most important of all don’t ever leave children or pets in the car, EVER!!!!!

Heat Safety

Child Safety Tips

• Make sure your child’s safety seat and safety belt buckles aren’t too hot before securing your child in a safety restraint system, especially when your car has been parked in the heat.
• Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down.
• Teach children not to play in, on, or around cars.
• Always lock car doors and trunks–even at home–and keep keys out of children’s reach.
• Always make sure all children have left the car when you reach your destination. Don’t leave sleeping infants in the car ever!

Adult Heat Wave Safety Tips

• Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, seniors and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
• Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
• Put less fuel on your inner fires.Foods, like meat and other proteins that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
• Drink plenty of water, non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids.Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver disease, are on fluid restrictive diets or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids. Do not drink alcoholic beverages and limit caffeinated beverages.
• During excessive heat periods, spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, go to a library, store or other location with air conditioning for part of the day.
• Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat.
• Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.