There is some good news … the hottest days will start to go down around the 11th of August, according to the Old Farmers Almanac. Dog Days began July 3 and are slated to continue for 40 days. That is when the almanac predicts they will end.
But weather history shows some of the hottest days do actually happen after the 11th.
Temperatures on Sunday reached 105, just 1 degree under the record of 106 degrees.
KCEN-TV meteorologist Mike Griffin forecast another day of temperatures up near 105 with the heat index giving it a real-feel of about 110 degrees.
“The heat advisory is still in effect for Monday,” Griffin said.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Edouard formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday and by night was positioned about 85 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River and heading west.
“Tropical Storm Edouard is heading to Texas,” Griffin said. “It is forecast to be a strong tropical storm, maybe a weak hurricane, making landfall near Galveston Island Tuesday morning.
“If it keeps on moving west northwest Central Texas will be next.”
Griffin said he is forecasting a 50/50 chance of rain for late Tuesday or Wednesday.
“Obviously we won’t have to deal with the wind but we will have to deal with the leftover rain.”
The short-lived drop in temperatures will last a couple of days with just a couple of degrees before a return to 100 degrees by the end of the week.
“If this tropical storm does come our way we are looking at maybe 1-3 inches of rain. It will be widespread, not local. This will be a widespread rain for Central Texas. Not a drought buster but a good soaker is possible,” Griffin said.
At least one resident took the advice handed out by experts who said to stay indoors during the heat of the day. Father of two Dean Petersen decided to leave mom at home for the afternoon and took his children to the movies at Premiere Cinema 12 at Temple Mall.
“Mom needed a break after a long summer holiday with the kids, so we decided to watch a movie this afternoon. It was too hot to do much at home except sit around,” Petersen said. Thirteen-year-old Ashley said the movie “Mama Mia” was great and enjoyed the afternoon out with dad.
“And the popcorn always tastes better at the cinema,” she said.
