The weekend closes with DFW seeing its second consecutive day with a high temperature below 100°F. This follows the warmest summer day of the year, which occurred on Friday. Sunday was a typical summer August day. The average high on August 4 is also 97°F.
Temperatures and feel-likes are rising this week. We forecast the hottest days of the year by mid-week. With the humidity, sun, and light winds, this will be a dangerous heat that may warrant a heat warning.
A weak summer cold front will pass through on Friday. On Friday, there may be a 20% chance of rain as temperatures drop into the weekend.
It’s August, the hottest month of the year, so we expect heat.
Tropical Storm Debby became a hurricane shortly before 10 p.m. on Sunday. It will approach Florida about midday Monday, very likely with Category 1 winds.
As it approaches the Big Bend of Florida, the hurricane is passing over the hottest water it has encountered thus far.
Debby has two major concerns: storm surge and historic flooding.
As the hurricane reaches the shallow water in the Florida panhandle, the storm surge can easily exceed 10 feet in this part of the state.
Last year (August 30, 2023), Category Three Idalia blasted over 12 feet of water (above sea level) into Horseshoe Beach. Debbie is following almost the same course. Hurricane Debby is expected to slow down as it approaches Tallahassee, resulting in catastrophic tree damage. This happened to Hermine in 2016, with the western wall of the eye over the capital city.
There are two things to observe about the Forecast Positions and Max Winds. As Debbie makes it ashore, winds will approach Category 2 strength. The other? It spends several hours “inland” (36 to 120, minus a brief stretch near the Georgia/South Carolina coast).
This transforms Debbie into a major flood hazard. Remember that floods from hurricanes kill more people than wind.
The heaviest rain is expected to fall in Georgia, with some locations receiving more than 24″. If Debby continues on her path, she will face catastrophic floods.
Again, Hurricane Debbie is now passing over historically warm Gulf waters. This is gasoline for the storms. Our present models do not accurately foresee rapid intensification. The First Alert Weather team will keep you updated. Join Chief Meteorologist Scott Padgett Monday morning for the most up-to-date information on the track and strength of this catastrophic storm.