Haboob expected to spike number of Arizona Valley Fever cases

The effects of the Pheonix Haboob could be felt for a while. Doctors are expecting to see more people experiencing problems with their lungs from all of the dust. Check out the story below:

Haboob expected to spike number of Arizona Valley Fever cases

July 1936

Check out these July highs from 1936! 11 days in a row, all record highs, all over 100°!


It will be dangerously hot next week,
but it won't be this bad!

Heat Still on Track

We're still on track for some dangerous heat and humidity starting later this week, and lasting through MOST of next week! As of this afternoon the NWS has issued an Excessive Heat Watch for the QCA!

More 90s On the Way!

So far this season we've had 12 days in the 90s and we're looking at a whole lot more next week!



And several of the days
should be above 93°!

Light Rain Not Enough Right Now

We'll take any rain we can get, but we sure could use some more right now! This evening's rainfall was pretty light, except in Iowa City and Clinton where a slightly more respectable rain fell!

HOT HOT HOT!

This weekend is only the beginning as far as the heat goes! Mid 90s look like a sure thing next week, with upper 90s possible too. Factor in some thick humidity and we're looking at Heat Index readings around 110 next week! If your lawn isn't brown yet it will be next week unless you water it! Here's something from the CPC showing a good portion of the country above average next week!


This is for July 18-22.
And it doesn't look good!

Another Warm Quad City Weekend Coming Up

After a nice little cool-down for the middle of the week I expect another quick warm-up for the weekend! Wednesday and Thursday we'll see highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s and then a big jump into the lower 90s by the weekend! Here's some forecast data I've been looking at...with high temps circled. Also, the time here is Z-time...

Big storms raced around the QC this morning, sparing us from A LOT of damage! Here's a map of storm reports, and some survey results from the NWS!

NWS "Preliminary assessment:

At Garrison Iowa: straight line wind of 110 to 130 mph produced widespread damage to structures. Many roofs were partially or fully removed and the walls of some buildings collapsed. Nearly every tree was significantly damaged or snapped off . Power outages were widespread.

At Vinton Iowa: straight line winds in excess of 110 mph caused significant power outages. Numerous structures sustained minor to moderate damage and most trees were significantly damaged or snapped off."

The Phoenix Haboob

I am sure many of you have seen the video of the massive dust storm moving through Phoenix, AZ last week, but if you haven't seen the video here it is:

The Phoenix Haboob of July 5th, 2011 from Mike Olbinski on Vimeo.

These dust storms form when rain from thunderstorms evaporates. Now when rain evaporates the air cools and when the air above the ground cools down it becomes very dense or really heavy. (Warm air is not very heavy and warm air rises while cold air is heavy and sinks towards the ground.)

So when you cool really warm air very quickly it causes the air to rush downwards towards the grounds sometimes at very high speeds. This then creates strong winds and the winds then blows the dust on the ground around causing a massive dust storm like we saw last week in Phoenix.

The dust can reach 1500 to 3000 ft and dust storms can travel up to a 100 miles. So definitely cool to watch from afar but nothing you would ever want to be stuck in the middle of!

Hot and Humid Weather Coming to the QC...

You will notice a difference when you step outside your door over the next two days. It will feel more humid, but we aren't the only ones that will be dealing with hot and humid conditions. Our neighbors to the South are under a heat advisory from Sunday afternoon until Monday evening (Shaded in Yellow). Folks in Eastern Oklahoma are under an excessive heat warning until late Sunday night (Shaded in Red). Temps in some areas of Oklahoma exceeded 100° today! So it definitely could be worse! Have a great weekend.