Sunshine, heat and Saharan dust will mostly define Wednesday’s weather across Central Texas. As hazy skies settle in, will the thermometer show Austin finally recording its first official 100-degree day of the year?
Sure, humidity has driven the heat index into the 100s, so it “feels like” triple-digit heat. But the combination of dry air and Saharan dust could provide just enough of a boost to push actual temperatures into the triple-digits by late afternoon or early evening.
Unlike most Texas summers, the summer heat has taken a back seat so far, thanks to the spring and early-summer rain that has kept the soil moist and the vegetation healthy enough to keep most areas away from those triple digits. At the same time, the typical summertime “heat dome” — a sprawling ridge of high pressure that often parks over Texas — has been weaker than usual and has spent much of the season centered elsewhere, allowing temperatures to remain closer to normal.
If this comes as a surprise to you because you’ve felt the oppressive heat over that last few weeks, keep in mind that the apparent temperature, or the “feel like” temperature hasn’t held back. We’ve had our fair share of 103 to 108 degrees heat index readings so far this summer.
Thursday will be our last chance to reach the 100-degree mark for at least another week. A more active weather pattern is expected to settle into Central Texas this weekend and continue through much of next week, bringing more clouds and scattered thunderstorms. That will help keep afternoon temperatures below 100 degrees and much closer to our average mid-July high of 95 degrees.
Looking back since 2020, Austin has recorded its first 100-degree day in either May or June. On average, the capital city’s first day of triple-digit heat occurs around July 4, and that date has already come and gone.
As we look back even further, in 2019, the first 100-degree day didn’t arrive until July 14. This year, however, the current forecast calls for a high of only 96 degrees on that date. If that forecast holds, we could be looking at Austin’s first 100-degree day occurring at its latest calendar date since 2015, when the city didn’t reach the 100-degree mark until July 27.
Either way, it’s going to be another scorching summer day, so don’t let the number on the thermometer be your only guide.
Take the heat seriously by staying hydrated, wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing, and taking frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning. If you’re planning to be outdoors, try to avoid strenuous activities during the hottest part of the afternoon. And remember, never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes. If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous, or unusually tired, move to a cooler place and drink water right away.