Austin marks 17 days of 100-degree weather in June, sets another daily heat record
June weather in Austin on Thursday delivered the month's 17th day of triple-digit temperatures, putting the month on a record-setting path.
Not only did Thursday's high of 104 tie the daily heat record set in 2017, but if the current National Weather Service extended forecast holds up, the city will likely record as many 20 days of 100-degree temperature readings in June, which would match the June record set in 2008.
Thursday's triple-digit high — the 18th for the year and eighth in a row since June 16 — also has helped push the month's average temperature at Camp Mabry, the site of Austin's main weather station to record levels.
This month also is on track to be the warmest June ever in Austin. As of Thursday, June's average temperature was 87.8 or 5.2 degrees higher than normal. Austin's warmest June ever was the one in 2008, which ended up with an average temperature of 87.4 degrees.
The heat will continue Friday under largely cloudless skies, the weather service said in a bulletin Thursday afternoon.
"Less clouds under a dome of high (atmospheric) pressure means only one thing: increasing temperatures," forecasters said. "Friday will approach heat advisory criteria briefly in some spots."
Even without the heat advisory, the day could be dangerously hot, the weather service said.
"So those out and about should continue to be mindful and drink plenty of water, wear light-colored clothing, take breaks in the shade, and get your errands done in the morning during the cooler parts of the day," it warned.
The weather service expects Friday to be sunny with a high temperature near 103 amid humid south-southeast winds of around 5 mph.
Friday night should have clear skies with temperatures staying above 75 degrees, which is slightly above normal for the overnight low. Only three nights in June have had temperatures at or below normal, according to weather service data.
Meanwhile, balmy south-southeast winds of 5 to 10 mph could include gusts as strong as 20 mph, forecasters said.
Saturday and Sunday will share a projected high temperature of 101 degrees under sunny skies and warm southerly breezes. Evening temperatures this weekend should continue to be warmer than normal and stay above the upper 70s.
A slim rain chance but we'll take it
OK, before we get too excited about a chance for rain in the forecast, remember that we have a long way to go to erase the ongoing drought in Central Texas. Here's what we know about the rain chances:
The weather service expects a weak cold front to move into our region Monday. Computer forecast models show the frontal boundary stalling over South Texas before dissipating Tuesday.
"This will bring low chances for showers and thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday," the weather service said in its Thursday bulletin. "Models are becoming a bit more consistent on precipitation for our" region.
Austin on Monday has a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Otherwise, look for mostly sunny skies with temperatures staying under 100 degrees. North-northeast winds of around 5 mph should arrive in the afternoon, forecasters said.
Monday night also has a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms. The increased cloud cover and humidity will help keep overnight temperatures above 77 degrees.
"The front will also bring some less hot air, and highs on Tuesday will be mainly in the lower to middle 90s," the weather service bulletin said. "Isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible over the eastern half of the area Wednesday and temperatures will remain somewhat depressed in the normal range."
Austin's high temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday are forecast to be between 94 and 95 degrees, forecasters said. That would break the current 100-degree-day streak — for now.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin approaches June record for days of 100-degree weather
