Heat wave to bring triple digit temperatures to Rio Grande Valley this week

The National Weather Service in Brownsville is urging deep South Texas residents to prepare for unseasonably early heat as temperatures are anticipated to reach triple digits this week.

Bianca Garcia, lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Brownsville, said that this week’s heat wave will be similar to one that his the area around Memorial Day last year.

“We’re having this upper level high pressure that’s getting centered and building over most of the Southern Plains at least through the weekend, and honestly, at least through the next week or two,” Garcia said. “Even our long term guidance is indicating we will continue to see above normal temperatures.”

She explained that any heat-related event that lasts beyond two or three days is considered a heat wave. This particular event is estimated to last into next week, which is why the NWS wants people to be prepared.

“These temperatures that we’re going to see later this week and even into the weekend are more similar to June or July,” Garcia said. “So our bodies are not adapted. Usually it’s a gradual warming. We have our cooler season and now we’re warming up. We’re mostly acclimated to temperatures in the 80s and the 90s, and by the time summer gets around, as the temperatures continue to warm, we get more acclimated.”

“Right now, we’re really not acclimated to have these triple digit temperatures.”

McAllen is likely to see temperatures rise to 102 or 103 degrees while areas to the north west including Zapata, Guerra and Hebronville could see temperatures as high as 108 degrees.

“So very, very unusual for this time of year,” Garcia said. “That does cause a little bit more heat stress on the body, and it will affect anybody who is outside and not taking adequate breaks, drinking enough water, seeking that break in the shade or staying indoors during the peak heating of the day.”

The meteorologist said that those temperatures are not factoring in the humidity, which could cause the heat index values to rise to near heat advisory criteria for the area, which is around 111 degrees.

Temperatures will begin trending northward on Wednesday, and remain elevated into the weekend.

Garcia said that the high temperatures will be a risk to vulnerable populations, particularly infants, children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses.

Children stay cool Wednesday afternoon, June 8, 2022, at Dean Porter Parks Splash Pad in Brownsville. (Miguel Roberts/The Brownsville Herald)

“Their bodies are less adept to the heat than we are as adults,” Garcia said. “We will still struggle, those of us who are healthy adults, but especially those with children if we’re not taking the preparations. Whether it’s putting sunscreen on for that extra UV protection, or making sure that they are dressed in light, loose fitting clothing, taking water to school since I guess most kids are still in school right now, and making sure that they have that hydration.”

She also advised parents to remember to check the backseat of their vehicles to make sure that children, elderly or pets don’t get left in the heat.

“In 10 minutes or less, that car can get pretty hot once it’s turned off,” she said. “There’s just a lot of different ways to prepare for the heat. If you’ve got an outdoor activity in the peak heating of the day, if you can change those plans, do it later in the day or earlier in the day when it’s just not as hot. That would also help prevent any heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.”

While the heat may encourage many to seek refuge at the beach, the NWS is also warning beachgoers to be cautious as there could be stronger than normal winds this weekend, which can lead to a moderate risk of rip currents.

“While most people may still want to get in the water, we do just need to be sure to have an escape plan in mind if we do get caught in a rip current,” Garcia said. “Through our statistics that we have here for South Padre Island, most of our fatalities occur in this moderate risk of rip currents. So while we’re trying to escape the heat at the beach, we also need to be prepared and be mindful of what our escape plan will be if we are caught in our current.”

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