ROCKINGHAM — It’s probably hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, but this is only the beginning of what the National Weather Service is calling an extended period of record-breaking heat across the region.
A digital temperature sign outside one Richmond County bank read 108 degrees Monday while other signs displayed triple-digit readings of 100 and 101. Forecasts call for a 101-degree high in Rockingham today followed by highs of 97 on Wednesday and 98 on Thursday.
Shawna Cokley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Raleigh forecast office, explained why digital weather signs can vary and often show inaccurate readings.
“First of all I would say the sensor on a digital sign that said 108 is in the sun, so I’d be really surprised to see temperatures that high,” Cokley said. “But we have hit record temperatures here at the Raleigh-Durham station today when it reached 99 degrees at 2:43 p.m. That’s two degrees higher than the previous recorded temperature on this day.”
Fayetteville, she said, was even hotter. The temperature there reached 100 degrees by 2:27 p.m. — also exceeding its previous record by two degrees.
Cokley cautioned folks not to get their hopes up for a cool-down anytime soon. A strong ridge of high pressure in place over portions of the Southeast can be thanked — or blamed — for that.
“The ridge is a kind of weather pattern,” Cokley said. “It’s essentially a very large area of high pressure. We could see storms that pop up and then diminish really quickly, and that’s the kind of thing we are expecting later in the week. There’s really no relief in sight for next week, it’s not going to be 100 degrees, but still in the 90s and above normal.”
The kinds of storms that occur under these conditions tend to be scattered and form suddenly. They are also capable of producing some spectacular lightning and loud thunder, but as a brief respite from the oppressive rays of the sun and heat, many welcome these summer storms.
During the heat of the days ahead, Cokley stressed the importance of staying safe by taking precautions officials mention every summer.
“Sometimes it feels like we repeat the same things again and again,” she said. “But it’s really important to try and avoid being outside if possible, and to drink water and stay hydrated even if you don’t feel thirsty. Pets who normally stay outdoors should be brought inside during the hottest parts of the day. Don’t leave pets, children or elderly people in cars. Even people who think, ‘Oh, I’ll only be 5 minutes.’ A lot can happen in those five minutes. Temperatures rise rapidly once that car door is closed and even five minutes could be too many.”
The last long series of days with highs above 90 was in June 1952, when temperatures remained dangerously high for 14 consecutive days.
Cokley also warned swimmers who might think they’ve outwitted the weather to think twice before spending too much time in the pool under certain conditions.
“Anytime the sun angle is really high, no matter the heat, you can get burned very easily and you should seek out shade and slather on the sunscreen if you must be outside,” she said.
Reach reporter Melonie McLaurin at 910-817-2673 and follow her on Twitter @meloniemclaurin.