The heat is on
May 26th, 2012 at 4:50 pm by Tara Hastings under Weather
I hope you are enjoying some pool time this weekend or maybe enjoying the refreshing feel from your air conditioner. Memorial Day is usually the unofficial start of summer and this weekend is living up to the title.
Highs all over the Miami Valley were either at 90 or one or two degrees away. The entire day has been warm and the temperatures begin to spike early. Here’s a look at how quickly temperatures jumped today.
The heat isn’t going anywhere for a few more days – so hopefully you bear with it until the cold front gets here Tuesday. The reason for this high heat is a huge ridge of high pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere is centered right over Ohio. This means our weather pattern is stagnant, the heat builds and it’s tough to break. This patter is going to hold tight through the weekend.
Because we have high heat, humidity and light winds the air isn’t able to mix very well. Because of the stagnant air mass there is an air pollution advisory in effect for a few counties in the Miami Valley. During an advisory people with respiratory problems may experience difficulties breathing. It’s a great idea during an advisory to stay indoors when possible and fill up your gas tank after sunset. Why? The reason is because while you’re filling up your tank a small amount of vapor can be released into the atmosphere and in direct sunlight this mixes and creates air pollution. It’s also a great idea to limit your driving and mow the grass during the early morning or evening. (it’s usually cooler around that time anyway – or you can always put it off for another day… 
The heat and humidity are here until late Monday. Finally a cold front is going to sweep through the Miami Valley bringing some much needed rain (my tomatoes plants love me for giving them a little extra water!) There’s a slight chance of showers late Monday evening but the better chance will come on Tuesday. Of course with the rain also means lower temperatures. Expect readings to drop into the 70′s for the middle and end of next week….say it with me….ahhhh
