CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The combination of abundant Gulf moisture and intensifying upper-level high pressure are creating a long-term heatwave featuring heat index values of 110-to-115 for the next several afternoons.
By the end of next week, the high moves far enough north to allow less heat and more clouds.
The pattern of upper-level high pressure overhead, and Gulf moisture near the surface, is common for the Texas Gulf coast this time of the year, but its impact is nevertheless dangerous.
Those exposed to the intense heat/humidity for prolonged periods of time need to take precautions, including lots of water intake, proper clothing, ventilation and shade, whenever possible.
Air temperatures will climb to near 100 degrees over the weekend, and not back off until later next week, as the upper-level ridge shifts farther north.
At that time, more tropical moisture, increasing clouds and a little less heat will prevail.
Rain chances are slim, at best.
Highs will be in the middle-to-upper 90s, with lows in the middle-to-upper 70s.
