Heat Not Hurricanes Acadiana’s Weather Concern This Weekend
The tropical Atlantic Basin remains rather active this morning. There are two tropical storms, both soon-to-be hurricanes. And there is an area of disturbed weather that the National Hurricane Center is watching too. While those storms will be a concern for Mexico and maybe New England, they won't have much of an effect on Acadiana's weather.
Instead, for residents who reside in and around I-10, our big issue will be the heat. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for many parishes in the southeastern part of the state. At the time of this publication, Acadiana and Southwest Louisiana were not included in those advisories but it's still going to be pretty darn hot regardless.
The heat advisory does include the cities of Baton Rouge and New Orleans and residents in the advised area can expect heat indices to be near or above 110 degrees during the hottest part of the day.
Meanwhile, in the cooler part of the state, namely Lafayette and Lake Charles our heat index should only top out at 103 to 105 degrees, Whew, I feel cooler already. But don't be surprised if heat advisories are posted for our part of the state over the weekend as well.
Forecasters say that all of South Louisiana is in for a stretch of hotter than usual weather for the next several days. Forecast highs in the Lafayette area will be near 95 today and tomorrow and up to 97 on Sunday. Of course, it's not all about the heat, we have to include the humidity too.
It's all that moisture in the air that makes stepping out of the air conditioning at almost any time after sunrise unbearable. Those high heat indices are also what make this time of the year so dangerous for those who work and play outdoors.
As you contemplate any outside activity this weekend, you'd be better served to adjust your schedule to be out in the early morning hours or the late afternoon hours. The middle of the day is not only the worst for heat and humidity but for UV radiation on your skin too.
Be sure your pets have some shade to relax in if they stay outdoors and double-check their water supply too. It would probably be a good idea to look in on your neighbors, especially the elderly, and make sure that they are not suffering any ill effects of these excessive temperatures.
And if you're wondering when the excessive heat might loosen its grip? It's not going to be this week. Forecasters are predicting above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall chances at least through next weekend. But at least, we won't be dealing with a tropical cyclone.
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