Heat Wave Ebbs Mid-Week

The first heat wave of the season has been handled with reasonable ease in our region. This Monday, for a 5th straight day, highs have crested near or above 90 degrees.

Looks like 93 has been the highest official temperature in the Huntington-Charleston region this 5 day stretch with 95 and even 96 in parts of the Southern Coalfields (from Middleburg Island in Logan to the 99 steps on Pikeville college’s campus to the Coal House in Williamson).

Local power company's weathered the heat wave no sweat, though our early season energy useage will spell a higher bill come July 1st compared with last year (when the heat really didn't take hold until mid June also). Those who lost power during last week's storm did have a harder time in coping without AC!

Of course, area pools have been open since the weekend, so the kids have enjoyed a wet and wild oasis from the heat. Likewise, an afternoon partial cloud cover has billowed up tempering the intense heat that southern climes like Charlotte and Atlanta have braved.

The southern extent of the heat wave saw highs crest at 100 in Richmond, the first Capital of the Confederacy, 101 in Athens Georgia, home of the Bulldogs, 99 at Charlotte’s Douglas International Airport.

The northern edge of the heat registered 95 at the Big Apple, Philly and DC/Baltimore.

Meanwhile, the same front that flooded Indiana and Illinois this weekend is approaching our region this Monday night and will cross with a round of scattered showers and gusty thunderstorms overnight and again on Tuesday. Most likely impact from these squalls will be power hits from lightning strikes and localized street flooding.

By the way, the heat has sped up the metamorphis of the cicada, so their annoying sounds (they clap their feet together in a type of mating call) has loudened in pitch as highs have hit 90..

With the enhanced cloud cover on Tuesday, highs should hold in the mid to upper 80s most areas, though the humidity will be tropically muggy for kids heading to Vacation Bible Schools.