August 10, 2010: The heat wave continues...

Tuesday: August 10, 2010

Another hot day is in store for the region.  Yesterday temperatures rose into the middle 90s to over 100 in a few locations.  I recorded 100 degrees here at the Weather Observatory.  Heat index readings reached 121 degrees at one point during the afternoon.  Granted we have higher dew points here and humidity levels because of the corn fields.  However, many people in this region live around/near corn fields.  So - I am not alone in the experience.

More common, yesterday, were heat index readings in the 105-110 degree range.

The NWS in Paducah, Kentucky has upgraded the entire region to an excessive heat warning.  Unfortunately, the heat is expected to continue most of the week.  You can review the latest watches and warnings by visiting the Paducah, Kentucky NWS web-site - here.

In addition to the heat, there will be a slight chance for thunderstorms over our region.  Yesterday some heavy thunderstorms moved through Graves and Calloway Counties in west Kentucky. These storms produced rainfall totals of 1-2". Gusty winds were also reported.
Some good news - the pattern may finally break next week.  Some questions remain on just how big of a break - but it does appear that temperatures will be somewhat cooler next week.

I continue to watch a tropical disturbance that is pushing into the Gulf of Mexico.  It is possible that this system could become a tropical depression or tropical storm over the next day or two.  The National Hurricane Center is monitoring the system.  This is the same system we have been talking about for the past week. 

It is too early to determine if this system will have any impact on our local counties.  A frontal system is forecast to move into the Ohio Valley on Saturday and Sunday.  It is possible, if the storm tracks far enough north, that it could interact with this front - near or over our region.  Low chance - but something I will be monitoring.

For now - the big story continues to be the heat.

Your day by day forecast can be viewed here.

The National Weather Service continues to ask the public to check on elderly residents and remind school districts of the dangers of the on-going heat wave. Also - I know it goes without saying - but the National Weather Service also wants to remind everyone about the dangers of leaving children and pets in vehicles (even for just a few minutes) in this extreme heat.

Some fire departments in the area are asking residents to please not burn trash, debris, or grass/fields. Burn bans are now in effect for Ballard, McCracken, and Marshall Counties - there may be other counties, as well. Please help our local fire departments by refraining from burning debris or other materials during this extended period of drought.


The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Paducah, Kentucky has placed a number of tips on their web-site on how you can prepare for the on-going heat wave. We ask that you please pass this information along to those who might find it useful.

For astronomy fans - the Perseids Meteor Shower continues into the middle of August.  The peak of this meteor shower is forecast to be during the night of the 11th and morning of the 12th.  Also the night of the 12th and morning of the 13th.  If the weather permits there should be an opportunity to see quite a few meteors.  Best viewing time is between 11 pm and 4 am.

- Beau Dodson
Meteorologist for the McCracken County Office of Emergency Management
Meteorology Adviser to the Kentucky Department of Transportation Cabinet

Facebook updates - under Beau Dodson
Twitter updates - under Beau Dodson
http://www.weatherobservatory.com/ - updated forecast/radar/current conditions/advisories

Anyone who would like to be added to this email list can contact me and I will add them - simply email me at beaudodson@usawx.com
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