Weather
Ready For More???
Posted: Aug 5, 2011 7:57 AM by Dave Baker
Updated: Aug 5, 2011 7:59 AM
A Heat Advisory remains in effect for Acadiana today as temperatures soar into the upper 90s, and some areas north of I-10 could hit 100. Add in the humidity and it could feel more like 110 degrees! Yesterday the temperature in Lafayette topped out at 97 degrees, but that would feel like air conditioning to cities in Texas and northern Louisiana. Thursday, Shreveport and Dallas both hit 108, Longview, Texas topped at 109, and Texarkana baked at 110, smashing records set more than a century ago.
If forecasts hold, 2011 might close in on records set during the brutal summer of 1980. In Dallas, there have been 41 days with triple digit heat, 34 of those consecutive (and still counting). In 1980 they had 69 days over 100, with 42 days consecutive. To make it feel better, in 1980, 28 of those days were over 105 degrees, so far this year only 7. And in 1980, five of those days were over 110 degrees, this year so far, just one.
The heat wave of 1980 wasn't just felt in the ArkLaTex, but all over the midwest. Cities like Kansas City and Memphis set their all time record temperatures. Drought also covered most of the central part of the U.S. causing billions of dollars in crop loss. The extreme temperatures were also responsible for over 1,700 heat related deaths from Texas to the Great Lakes.
Fortunately, it appears the extreme heat will give way to "normal heat" across Acadiana over the weekend. Expect temperatures around 93 (which is normal) this weekend, with a crisp (or crispy) heat index closer to 100.
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