Extended stretch of hot weather in store

Extended stretch of hot weather in store

LAST NIGHT’S STORMS: There were a few storms that developed in Eastern New Mexico and made it to the western and northern edge of our area. It didn’t bring much rain to Texas Tech Mesonet sites in our area. Storms brought widespread 1” rains across the Panhandle, with a few spots up around 2”. There were also several severe storms up there, including a tornado northeast of Amarillo.

THIS MORNING: A few small showers and weak thunderstorms have developed over the Rolling Plains. These are moving east fairly quickly. There are three areas of storms to our north and east, from the Oklahoma Panhandle down to SW Oklahoma. That eastern-most batch of rain and storms is bringing yet more rain to already soaked SW Oklahoma. It’s racing southeast, will move through Wichita Falls and eventually into North Texas.

Interactive radar
FOX 34 VIPIR live stream

It is mild and muggy across our area, once again with the dew point in the upper 60s and the temp in the mid 70s. 

TODAY: It’ll be sunny and hot. We can’t rule out an isolated storm. Yesterday the air was expected to get a little drier, making it easier for the temperature to climb to the upper 90s. That didn’t happen, so the temp was “only” in the mid 90s. But the extra humidity made it feel just as bad. Today the dew point should drop into the 40s on a west wind, allowing the temp to climb up near 100.

EXTENDED FORECAST: A little bit of humidity may be in place tomorrow afternoon for a few thunderstorms. It’s only a slight chance for a storm. It’ll be in the 95-100 degree range each afternoon rest of this week and through the weekend. There are a few small-scale differences in the computer guidance. But nothing of significant. It’ll be hot with lots of sun each day with a massive ridge of high pressure expanding from the SW United States to much of the nation.

The main forecast challenge at this point is when will this pattern break down. Some computers show the ridge weakening some by early next week, while other runs have kept it stout through the middle of next week. We’ll be watching for any changes, but it is mid to late June in Texas. You know well it can get and stay hot.

The NWS projection for precip next seven days does show the potential for a few storms tomorrow or Thursday, but only with 1/10" to 2/10" precip across West Texas. The wet pattern will be out east next few days, with purple showing 1.5" or more precip.

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Rudy will have your next forecast update here later today. Have a good one.
-Matt