An expansive, anomalous upper-level ridge is going to build across the Southeast starting Wednesday.
The result will be the first heat wave of the year, or what some have designated a “dome” of heat, for the Southeast just in time for Memorial Day.
High temperatures are forecast to rise into upper 80’s to mid to upper 90’s; typical of July and August but unusual for late-May.
Records likely to be broken
Based on the daily maximum temperature forecast from the National Weather Service National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD), places like Birmingham, AL, Montgomery, Al and Meridian, MS are forecast to break their record high for May 24th Friday.
First heatwave of the year is expected in the Southeast just in time for Memorial Day weekend… high temperatures in the 90s likely. Heat index values will be higher (triple digits). Many record highs are forecast to be broken. pic.twitter.com/Ux6P5aWbPr
— Gulf Coast Storm Center (@GCSCWX) May 18, 2019
Friday is just the start. The heat will intensify over the weekend, putting more records at risk of being eclipsed.
Excessive heat likely
It is worth noting that heat index values will easily top out in the triple digits.
In their Hazardous Temperature outlook, the Climate Prediction Center has outline a moderate risk of excessive heat.
Hot but dry
The sliver lining here is that, other than afternoon pop up thunderstorms that start to become more common this time of year, it should be mostly dry.
