Here we are again -- as with the past couple of blogs the focus of this one is: Hot. Crazy hot. Too Hot. Why is it so hot? IT"S HOT! etc. etc. etc. Not like it is a secret when you start pouring with sweat just from walking down your front steps to get the mail.

Here is the plus side, at least for us here in the Brazos Valley.  With the exception of a few weeks ago, we are not breaking records left and right...yet.  That, however, is not the case out in West Texas and the Panhandle.  In fact, not only are they breaking records but they are breaking all time heat records -- meaning the hottest it has ever been in certain locations. Ever! 

A few spots of interest on Sunday Afternoon:                                                 

Amarillo: 111°

Lubbock: 112°

Wellington & Childress: 117°

Just as perspective, the hottest temperature ever recorded within the borders of Texas was 120° in Seymor on August 12th, 1936.

Here at home, since our soaking rains that fell last Wednesday morning, we've managed to keep our highs below that century mark.  Well, it looks like our borrowed time has expired as highs are expected to reach the triple digit mark Wednesday & Thursday.

As for rain chances, they continue to remain absent in the forecast.  Since last week, long-range computer models were hinting at a low pressure system taking shape near the Yucatan Peninsula which could, in turn, bring some higher moisture to South Texas and maybe -- just maybe -- bring up our rain chances.  

The low formed and it has about a 50/50 chance of becoming something tropical in nature over the next 48 hours -- possibly a depression, or if it can really get it's act together, our first named storm of the season.  However, high pressure in the mid-to-upper levels of the atmosphere over Texas will move this system to the West along with all of the good, deep tropical moisture associated with it. That means rain chances equal slim-to-none for the current seven day outlook. 

I'll tie this blog off with a ribbon for you.  Even though we have been able to keep our official temperature below 100°, factor in the heat index and it feels more like 100° to 106° each afternoon across the Brazos Valley.  But, just remember as you are gulping down water to stay cool...at least it is not 117°. And that,Friends, is the silver lining!