SAN ANGELO – Friday will see another 100+ degree day with a Heat Advisory and a Red Flag Warning for wildfire danger across West Texas, but the end is in sight with a cold front with rain chances on the way for Sunday.
San Angelo has seen 12 days of temperatures reaching over 100 degrees this year while rainfall totals are far behind normal and the drought is intensifying. Heat related illnesses will be possible Friday and Saturday across the area.
Wildfires continue to burn as firefighters use all the tools at their disposal to gain control and weather conditions will continue to hamper firefighting efforts Friday and Saturday. Look for updates on the Mesquite Heat fire later today.
Meteorologists with the National Weather Service office in San Angelo have issued two warnings for Friday; a Heat Advisory and a Red Flag Warning.
The Heat Advisory is in effect from 1 pm. Friday to 9 p.m. because temperatures are forecast to reach between 103 and 107 degrees. When it's that hot, heat related illnesses will occur especially for people who spend extended periods of time outdoors in the sun. Experts recommend everyone avoid strenuous activities in the sun Friday afternoon, drink plenty of fluids and stay in the shade as much as possible. Health officials recommend everyone stay in an air conditioned room if possible. Children and the elderly and those with existing health issues are the most at risk. Check on your neighbors and never, ever, ever leave a child or a pet in a locked car in the heat. It can be deadly and it is illegal.
The Red Flag Warning is a warning about existing very dangerous wildfire conditions and is in effect from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Extreme heat will combine with low humidity and strong southwesterly winds and tinder dry fuels like dried out grass and weeds and dried out underbrush and limbs to create the perfect conditions for wildfires to spread rapidly.
Experts are warning that accidental ignitions could rapidly develop into raging, out of control wildfires like the one near Abilene. They recommend absolutely no outdoor burning of any kind especially welding, cooking or any type of activity that could cause a spark or flame.
The Red Flag Warning means those dangerous conditions exist and wildfires will ignite if you ignore these warnings.
Saturday will be another triple digit day but the weather will change drastically for Sunday with a cold front expected to bring much cooler temperatures and even some significant rain by Monday night across the region of the weather holds true to current models.
This is a dangerous and developing weather situation. Stay tuned for further updates.
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