Area gets ready for record hot temps

Scorching hot weather is projected for South Central Texas over the weekend.

Temperatures will likely range from the high 90s to the low 100s, according to a situation report issued by the National Weather Service’s Austin/san Antonio office on Friday afternoon.

The report notes “higher heat indices are possible.”

In San Antonio, temperatures could reach 104 degrees Saturday and Sunday.

Here are five things you should know about the projected record-breaking heat wave:

Possible broken record

Since record-keeping began, only two other days have reached or exceeded 100 degrees in San Antonio this early in the year, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Mack Morris: Feb. 21, 1996, and March 6, 1991.

Noting spring conditions have been atypically dry so far, Morris called the phenomenon “just an anomaly.”

“We have gotten this hot before early on,” he said. “It just doesn’t happen very often.”

By comparison, the first 100degree day of the year, on average, is July 1, according to Morris.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in San Antonio was 111 degrees on Sept. 5, 2000.

“September and August are typically our hottest months of the year,” Morris said.

The most consecutive 100-degree days in San Antonio history clocked in at 21: July 24 through Aug. 13, 1962.

Peaking in early evening

San Antonio should pass the 100-degree mark around 5 p.m., according to Morris.

However, he said, it’ll be hot all day.

“After lunchtime, it’ll be probably in the mid-90s already,” Morris said. He advises residents to limit strenuous activity to the early morning and late evening — before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

‘Shortwave ridging’

Ridges are properties of the atmospheric pressure field. Ridges are “elongated areas of relatively high pressure extending from the center of a high-pressure region,” according to PBS.

Starting Saturday morning, a high-pressure system will descend on South Central Texas, forcing air downward.

As that air sinks, it will compress and warm, according to Morris, driving temperatures up.

The arrival of a highpressure system will follow that of a low-pressure system Thursday. That loft was the cause of Thursday morning’s rain.

“Areas of low pressure are often followed by areas of high pressure,” Morris said.

San Antonio can help

The city announced it would operate cooling centers Monday through Thursday afternoon. The 25 centers, which include libraries and senior centers, are intended to provide relief from the projected heat to residents in need. However, only 16 will be open Saturday and Sunday, all from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Those at highest risk include children younger than 4, adults older than 65, people with existing medical conditions such as heart disease and people without access to air conditioning, according to a city news release.

Service animals are welcome as well, said George Perez with Metro Health. He said it’s hard to predict demand ahead of time because anywhere from zero to 100 people have shown up at the city agency’s cooling centers before. Plus, there’s always the possibility that the extreme heat could indirectly cause a power outage.

“We will scale up needed,” he said

The transit service VIA will ferry people to and from cooling centers free of charge as long as they remain open.

Taking precautions

When extreme heat hits, your risk for heat-related injuries such as sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke increases dramatically, so it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Slather on the sunscreen.

Drink plenty of fluids. However, avoid alcoholic beverages because they can actually exacerbate dehydration.

Wear a cap or hat and light, loose-fitting clothing.

Don’t leave pets or children alone in cars, even for a short time.