High confidence in a heat wave with at least three straight days with temperatures above 90°F and heat index values of 100°F or greater this week. This will support a major a heat risk and the potential of severe weather.
The main weather story this week will be heat and humidity as a ridge of high pressure builds into the Ohio Valley. This will lead to the hottest temperatures of the year so far. And temperatures will remain hot through the next six to seven days.
The bar is fairly high, but we will have the opportunity to break a few daytime high temperatures this week, as well as several high minimum nighttime temperatures this week. The daytime highs most in jeopardy in the Tuscarawas Valley area are those on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
The hottest days in our local area will likely be Wednesday and Thursday when daytime highs are forecast to reach the mid to upper 90s. The remainder of the week will still be hot, just not quite as hot.
In addition to the high temperatures, dew points will remain elevated through the week, with readings in the upper 60s to low 70s. (This means it will be humid as well.) There is some debate among the different models that dew points will get that high, but if they do, the combination of hot temperatures and dew points in the low 70s will translate to heat index values of 100° to 104° during the mid-afternoon into early evening periods each day.
ABOUT HEAT HEADLINES
We’re likely to see heat-related advisories this week. The National Weather Service issues heat-related headlines when certain regional criteria are reached. (The criteria for heat-related headlines can change depending on climate data related to a specific area.) The Pittsburgh NWS office is responsible for the east-central Ohio region – including Tuscarawas County. A Heat Advisory is issued when heat index values are expected to reach 100°- 104°. An Extreme Heat WARNING is issued at heat index values of 105° or greater.
While most people can handle and adjust to the heat and humidity pretty well during the daytime hours, heat can have a broader impact when nighttime temperatures remain elevated, providing little relief. This can be especially impactful for those without air conditioning, the elderly, or folks with health issues. And, heat impacts can be cumulative over time.
ABOUT DEWPOINTS
Many folks don’t understand how dew points work, but it’s important to monitor dew point temperature during hot weather. Basically, it’s pretty simple – the higher the dewpoint temperature, the more humid it becomes, no matter what the air temperature might be. Dew points above 64° start to feel uncomfortable. Dewpoints in the 70s are very uncomfortable. Above 75° and you’re in a rainforest. The actual air temperature is irrelevant. (Dew point temperature is never higher than the air temperature.)
SEVERE STORM POTENTIAL?
Machine learning (AI) models all indicate an uptick in the potential for severe weather Friday through Sunday. Granted, this is pretty far out there, but past heat waves similar to the pattern we’ll see next week typically end with a round or two of severe thunderstorms. Currently, the probabilities of severe storms toward the end of the week are very low. But historically, it is a factor, and we’ll be keeping a watchful eye on it in the late-week period.
HOW LONG WILL THIS GO ON?
Basically, plan on it being hot and humid all week. We may see some relief after the holiday weekend, but it’s still going to be quite warm for a bit.
We’re no strangers to hot weather during the summer here, but this will be the first real, impactful, and extended heat wave of the season. You’ve been here before, and you don’t need me to give you advice on what you should do to protect yourself and your friends/family. Just check in on the older folks and anyone without A/C, and those with chronic health conditions now and then. The county Emergency Management folks (Links below) will likely set up designated cooling centers for folks who need a place to cool off.
TUSCARAWAS COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Website
Facebook Page
Phone: 330-308-6670
Thanks for using TUSCWeather as your source for truly local weather information and forecasts. Take it easy in the heat this week and be safe. Updates will be posted throughout the week, so be sure you’re signed up to be notified when updates are published. Thanks again for supporting local!
Thank you so much for always keeping us informed We really appreciate it!
Excellent information! Thank you Joe!