Respite from Excessive Heat Ends Monday Morning

SAN ANGELO – The afternoon high temperature in San Angelo Sunday is forecast at 103 degrees but will spike at 109 by Tuesday prompting another round of heat and fire advisories and warnings.

The Big Country saw some brief showers Sunday morning and there were some clouds in the Concho Valley early but they were expected to burn off quickly.  A Heat Advisory is in effect for most of the Concho Valley through 9 p.m. Sunday.  

Monday's high will reach 106 degrees before jumping back up to the danger zone of 109 by Tuesday.  Expect that advisory to be upgraded again to an Excessive Heat Warning and a Wildfire Danger Alert as early as Monday morning. 

It is July in West Texas so temperatures exceeding 100 degrees each afternoon is normal.  Historically, there is a possibility of a break in the heat with showers and thunderstorms in mid August and then again around the first of September on the Labor Day weekend.  In extreme drought years like 2011, August can go by without any rain or cooler temperatures at all.  

With the heat comes the common sense warnings; stay hydrated, stay out of the sun and in an air-conditioned room if at all possible.  If you work or must go outdoors, wear suitable clothing and sunscreen, take plenty of breaks in the shade and look for the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 

And take care of pets, children and the elderly.  Don't leave any of them locked in a hot car ever, even if you're mad at them.  

Make sure they have plenty of shade, fresh water and food.  If the kids and dogs are playing outside, make sure to take the winter cover off the water faucet and connect the water hose.  You might want to yell outside at them around mid afternoon to get a drink out of the hose.  Then be sure to go out and check and make sure they turned the water off.  Don't want to waste any water and no one can afford the water bill for leaving a hose on all night.  And if you do, the neighbors will see the spot of green grass in your brown yard and think you're made of money.  Just kidding.  Nobody can afford to water the yard this summer! 

There's no rain in the ten day forecast.  Expect the Heat Advisory to return to an Excessive Heat Warning Monday or Tuesday.