Hundreds of thousands of our neighbors, friends and fellow Texans remain without power after destructive wind storms last Thursday lashed the Houston metro area, leaving at least seven people dead. That lack of electricity will be sharply felt as regional temperatures soar into the low 90s and heat index values approach 100 degrees each day for at least the next week.
Shown are Sunday’s expected high temperatures across Southeast Texas, according to the National Weather Service.
National Weather ServiceParts of Southeast Texas that were flooded by rain-swollen rivers more than a week ago also remained under flood warnings, the National Weather Service said, as waters only partially receded between fits of rain last week. Little or no rain appears in the forecast for Southeast Texas for the next seven days. That should ease flood worries, but it also means the heat will dominate next week’s weather.
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While the recent heavy rainfall has saturated the region’s soils, the clearer skies have allowed dew points — the temperature at which dew forms, and an indicator of air moisture — to fall to the upper 60s. Add to that calm winds and you have all the ingredients for widespread fog in the mornings.
Sunday morning will be no different: Expect patchy fog before 10 a.m. on an otherwise sunny day that will see temperatures rise from around 72 just before dawn to an afternoon high of 91.
The National Weather Service’s extended forecast features heat index values, or “feels like” temperatures that account for humidity, soaring into the triple digits.
National Weather ServiceA high pressure system in the upper levels of the atmosphere will introduce a run of hot and dry weather, forecasters said. But a light onshore flow of moisture-laden tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico also will return.
“That’s going to be more important going into next week with the bump up in humidity leading to more widespread heat index values in the triple digits,” weather service meteorologist Cameron Batiste wrote in a forecast bulletin Saturday. “Heat index values over the weekend will mainly be in the upper 90s, but some spots will be close to feeling like 100.”
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NOT HEAT OR HUMIDITY: Why the dew point makes Houston summers so insufferable
To understand what the heat index is, keep in mind that humidity, or the level of water vapor in the air, can make our perception of heat seem much hotter than the actual temperature. That’s because the body cools itself through the evaporation of sweat from our skin.
But evaporation isn’t as effective when there’s too much moisture already in the air. The heat index takes that into account, which is why the actual air temperature might be 92 degrees but a high humidity level (say, a dew point of 72 degrees) can make it feel like it’s 100 instead.
A tree snapped and tangled with the power wires on Gentry Street on Friday in Northeast Houston.
Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerStaying safe in the heat
Extreme heat poses health threats to some of the most medically vulnerable in our community, including young children, adults older than 65, those who are pregnant and those with chronic illnesses, according to the weather service.
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“During extremely hot and humid weather, your body’s ability to cool itself is challenged,” the weather service warns on its heat safety website. “When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness.”
The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a person experiencing heatstroke may have these symptoms:
- A body temperature exceeding 103 degrees
- Hot, red, dry or damp skin
- A headache, dizziness or nausea.
The CDC recommends that you call 911 for the person right away and move them to a cooler place.
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Someone experiencing heat exhaustion may show these signs:
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- Cold, pale and clammy skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Dizziness, headache or passing out.
For this, the CDC suggests moving the person to a cool place, loosening their clothes, putting a cool, wet cloth on their body and letting them sip water. But the CDC also urges immediate medical help if the person’s symptoms worsen or last longer than an hour.
Flooding continues in Southeast Texas
Meanwhile, in the Houston suburbs, the weather service issued extended flood warnings Saturday for areas along riverbanks across Southeast Texas:
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- East Fork San Jacinto near New Caney: At 10 a.m. Saturday, the river was staging at 61.7 feet above mean sea level. The river was expected to crest at 67.9 feet early Sunday before falling below flood stage, 58 feet, on Tuesday. The river banks are considered full stage at 54.5 feet.
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East Fork San Jacinto at Cleveland: At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, the river was at flood stage, 19 feet. The river was expected to fall to 10.3 feet on Thursday. The river banks are full at 13 feet.
- Trinity River at Liberty: At 9:15 a.m. Saturday, the river’s stage was 30.1 feet. The river was expected to rise to 30.6 feet Monday morning. Flood stage is 26 feet and banks are full at 21 feet.
- Trinity River near Goodrich: At 9:45 a.m. Saturday, the stage was 42.3 feet. The river was expected to crest at 42.3 feet on Saturday. Bankfull stage is 36 feet.
- Trinity River near Moss Bluff: At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, the stage was 15.2 feet. The river was expected to crest at 15.4 feet on Saturday and rise again to 15.6 feet on Tuesday. Flood stage is 12.2 feet and bankfull stage is 9.2 feet.
- Trinity River at Riverside: At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, the stage was 139.4 feet. The river was expected to crest at 139.6 feet Saturday. Flood stage is 133.5 feet, just a half-foot above bankfull stage.
- Trinity River near Crockett: At 9:45 a.m. Saturday, the river was staging at 41.3 feet above mean sea level. The river was expected to fall below flood stage, or 41 feet, Saturday and fall to 31 feet on Thursday. The river banks are considered full at 35 feet.
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Trinity River near Romayor: At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, the river was staging was 40.1 feet. The river was expected to fall below flood stage, 40 feet, early Sunday. Its banks are considered full at 30 feet.
- Brazos River near Rosharon: At 10 a.m. Saturday, the river’s stage was 44.3 feet. The river was expected to crest at 46.9 feet next Thursday morning with more rises possible. Flood stage is 43 feet and banks are full at 42 feet.
