Here's the thing.  All it takes is a foot out the door and you know that it has been incredibly hot over the past couple of weeks.  And here we are, the middle of June -- a time where we typically only top off around the low 90s -- and we are looking for 100°+ for the next seven day.  With.No.Relief.In.Sight.

Here's a break down of the past couple of weeks to show you where we have been before telling you where we are headed:

May 27: 98°

May 28: 98° 

May 29: 96°

May 30: 96°

May 31: 96°

June 1: 97°

June 2: 98°

June 3: 99°

June 4: 99°

June 5: 100°

June 6: 103°

June 7: 97°

June 8: 97°

June 9: 97°

June 10: 98°

June 11: 98°

June 12: 99°

June 13: 99°

Average daytime high over the past 19 days: 92.3°

Why so hot?  Well for a couple of reasons.  First, high pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere, as well as at the surface, have pretty much taken hold and are blocking any chance of a cool down or, for that matter, much needed rain to move into the Brazos Valley.  High pressure pushes down on the atmosphere above, which in turn notches up that heat.

The second factor for this heat has to deal with this "Exceptional Drought" that we are experiencing.  Normally at this time of the year, after good, normal, soaking rains in May, the landscape around here is a lot more green and the soil is much more moist.  But that, obviously, is not the case these days.  That being said, the way we warm up through the day is not directly from the sun.  The sun emits longwave energy that is absorbed by the ground.  That in turn becomes shortwave energy (heat) emitted by the ground which warms up the air around us.  When you have soil as dry as it is across the area, it heats up quicker due to that lack of moisture -- which in turn will cause the temperature to rise well above that "average" marker.  

The good news out of all of this?  With less moisture in the ground to steam upwards while evaporating during the day, our humidity levels haven't been quite as high in the afternoons as they normally would be during the month of June.  A small victory when you consider the impacts of the drought and the effects that 95°+ temperatures are having on an already bad situation.

As for this week -- well, hold on tight.  It looks like triple digit heat is a realistic possibility for most of the Brazos Valley through at least the middle of next week. 

Remember, if you have to be outdoors for an extended period of time, be sure to drink plenty of water, wear light colored clothes and take breaks in a cool location every 30 to 45 minutes. Also, be sure to check in on neighbors who may not have a/c to help escape this heat.