Valley weather: Hot, hot and hot

The hot temperatures the Rio Grande Valley experienced late last week will continue up until the middle of this week with heat indices expected to reach 110 degrees in some parts of the area.

National Weather Service forecasters are reminding residents to take cautionary measures for themselves, their children and their pets as they deal with the intense temperatures that will continue until at least Wednesday.

The highs are expected to be in the 90s but when you figure in the humidity the temperatures will feel like it is in the 100s, said Joseph Tomaselli, a meteorologist with the NWS in Brownsville.

The hotter temperatures are the result of a high pressure system that is sitting over the Alabama and Mississippi areas. “That system is so broad that it is going to remain extended over South Texas and that will allow the atmosphere to heat up pretty good,”Tomaselli said on Saturday.

The high heat indices are expected to remain in the area until Wednesday. They could drop a few degrees if predicted rain showers develop over there area. Instead of having heat indices of 105 to 110 degrees, they will drop off to 100 to 105 degrees, Tomaselli said.

Residents who work outside are encouraged to wear loose fitting and light colored clothing. They are also discouraged from drinking beverages that contain either alcohol or caffeine because consuming these types of beverages increases dehydration and could bring on heat stress. They should drink plenty of water instead.

Residents are also reminded not to leave their children or pets inside their vehicles while shopping or making a quick trip to the store because the vehicles can heat up quickly once the air condition is turned off.

Pet owners should also make sure outdoors pets have plenty of fresh water and shade.

“Don’t leave a dog chained up with out a doghouse or some shade and water…if a dog is constantly breathing in hot air it is going to be stressful for him very quickly,” Tomaseilli said.

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