In a climate of increasingly frequent weather extremes, high temperatures in the middle of summer may not sound like much to worry about. But excessive heat is a big killer, and some meteorologists are warning that a large, stubborn heat wave -- the "Torch of 2011" -- appears to be settling in east of the Rocky Mountains.
On Tuesday alone, the National Weather Service issued heat advisories for more than 20 states.
Houston meteorologist Larry Cosgrove warns in his WeatherAmerica newsletter that a "brutal display of hot weather (is) likely for much of the U.S." during the next two weeks, a period when temperatures across the region are typically the warmest of the season.
BLOG: Extreme Heat the New Norm
Among the computer models, says Cosgrove, the European Medium Range Forecast in particular portends "a crippling heat wave across the U.S. mostly east of the Continental Divide (but not including New England)."
Semi-stationary atmospheric pressure patterns are falling into place in a way that suggests to Cosgrove that "the hot pattern looks to be rather long-lived." Still uncertain is the location of the hottest of the hot region, although Cosgrove foresees a quadrant form Pierre, SD, Cincinnati, OH, Atlanta, GA, and Waco, TX, as "the boundary for the worst, longest lasting heat."
"In any event," he warned, "the Great Plains Midwest, and Old South are going to bake with widespread afternoon maxima exceeding 90 degrees F, and quite a few readings over the 100 degree F mark."
Most at risk during such sieges of extreme heat are residents of densely populated urban areas, especially the elderly and very young, and people compromised by existing infirmities. During an intense episode in 1995, an estimated 750 people died in the city of Chicago from the effects of the heat. More recently, heat waves in Russia and Europe have killed thousands.
IMAGE: This simulation sows the probability of above-normal temperatures across North America for the next 8-14 days. CREDIT: Environment Canada
Tags: Heat Waves, Meteorology, Summer
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