It feels like a steam room outside — and that isn't ending anytime soon. Temperatures in Palm Beach County could reach record highs this week as a new plume of Saharan dust blankets the area.
The record high in West Palm Beach on July 29 and July 30 is 96 degrees, and temperatures on those respective days are expected to close in on those numbers. While the forecasted highs on those days are 94 and 95 degrees, sometimes those forecasts can be "underdone," according to Sammy Hadi, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami.
“With this southwesterly flow particularly on Wednesday and Thursday, we could be getting very close to a record high for the date,” said Hadi. “It would not surprise me one bit if we get close to, tie or even
break the record high temperature for Wednesday and Thursday for West Palm Beach.”
The heat index, or 'feels like temperatures,' will stay between 100 to 110 this week into the weekend. More Saharan dust — which tends to stabilize environments — is moving into the area on Wednesday, July 29.
The dust will cut chances for rain to 20% to 30% that day and Thursday, July 30. If it rains on those days, it likely wouldn’t happen until later in the day after the air has already reached its peak heat.
Is it harmful to breathe in Saharan dust?
It can be.
Saharan dust contains particulate matter 2.5, which is an air pollutant. It reduces air quality, but not as much as wildfire smoke would, according to Hadi.
Will there be heat advisories in Palm Beach County this week?
Heat advisories are possible, especially on Wednesday, July 29, and Thursday, July 30, because those days are not expected to have much rainfall.
During a heat advisory, the weather service recommends that people limit strenuous activities outdoors during the peak heat of the day, stay hydrated, take care of pets and stay in air conditioning when they can. A heat advisory is triggered when there is a heat index of at least 108 degrees for two consecutive hours.
Maya Washburn is a Trending News Reporter for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm weather could reach record high temps this week
