The extreme heat wave continues to plague Texaswhere the maximum temperatures could reach record levels In some cities like Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin y Houstonand even surpass historical records in others such as Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Amarillodue to the phenomenon known as heat dome or dome.
The United States National Weather Service (NWS) issued excessive heat alerts in different parts of the northern and central part of the Lone Star State, in metropolises such as Austin, San Antonio, Abilene y Wichita Fallsand a small portion of southern Oklahomaaround Altus, where marks of more than 45°C of thermal sensation in some cases.
Heat warnings (orange) and excessive heat alerts (purple) in the U.S.NWS
In addition, almost all of the rest of Texas, with the exception of some isolated areas in the west, north and east, are under heat warningin cities like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Amarillo, Del Rio and LubbockThe same is true in other regions of the southern US such as eastern New Mexiconearly Roswell y Tucumcariand the southeast of Floridaaround Miami.
According to the NWS heat risk map, all of Texas is under serious or moderate threat due to these critical conditions, except in the northeast of the state. Thus, in specific areas such as Houston, alrededor de Austin, San Antonio, Lubbock, Abilene, Odessa, San Angelo o Midlandthe risk is extreme. This means that high temperatures can affect anyone without an effective cooling system or adequate hydration. In addition, there are likely to be impacts on most health systems, industries and heat-sensitive infrastructure, as the meteorological agency warned.
As meteorologist Bryan Jackson explained to the local media Dallas Newsand heat dome, also known as a heat dome, is a High pressure system with slow movement, stable air and a deep layer of high temperatures“It’s usually sunny, the sun is scorching, it’s hot and the air is contained inside (the dome),” said the specialist, who added that currently a dozen points, mostly in Texas, are reaching historical thermal marks this week.
An illustration by BBC Mundo showing how the heat dome is producedbbc world
Meanwhile, Jackson anticipated that this dome It will move from this Saturday towards western Oklahoma and eastern New Mexicowhile then heading toward the central part of the Mississippi Valley, where it will weaken slightly. Until then, scorching heat will hit almost all of Texas on Thursday, Friday and through the weekend.
Houston will experience a wind chill of up to 43.3 degrees on ThursdayNWS Houston
He NWS Houston predicted some 43,3°C of maximum heat index for this Thursday in that city, while in some kilometers to the southwest thermal sensations of almost 49°C. He NWS Fort Worth/Dallas anticipated 42.7°C for the city of Graham y 41,6°C to Cisco. For its part, the NWS Austin/San Antonio projected for this Friday that the surroundings of River will experience marks of 41,6°C of thermal sensation and in Eagle Pass will feel some 40,5°Cwith a slight but sustained decline over the weekend.
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