First Alert Weather Extra

There is a chance for a few showers and isolated thunderstorms this evening, but these should be minimally disruptive for high school football tonight. Temperatures will be in the 90s at kickoff and drop into the 80s through the course of the evening. This weekend will be hot with a mix of clouds and sunshine. There is a chance for showers and thunderstorms on Saturday, which looks like the best/highest chance for the weekend. Both Sunday and Monday (Labor Day) have a lower chance for rain. Highs will be in the middle to upper 90s for the weekend through next week. Towards the end of next week, the chance for rain looks to increase once again.

 

Today in weather history... On September 4, 2011, the Bear Creek Fire started in Northeast Texas. The fire went on to become the largest wildfire in East Texas' recorded history, burning over 40,000 acres. Several factors contributed to an active wildfire season that year, including Tropical Storm Lee's landfall in Louisiana on the same day. For more on the Bear Creek Fire, I have written a thorough look back here.

 

Also on today's show, we're taking a look at a consequence of El Niño in California, and we have an update on the deadly flash flood in Nepal. Additionally, our satellite imagery of the day, showing a waning moon illuminating Hurricane Lowell churning to the south of Hawaii, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

 

The remnants of Tropical Storm Edouard will continue to bring rain to parts of Texas tonight into tomorrow. Though, at this point, most of the rain East Texas will see from Edouard has fallen. Additional chances for showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast through the Labor Day holiday weekend, but the chances/coverage will not be high. Temperatures, while they've been cooler over the last couple of days, will rebound into the middle and upper 90s by early next week. There are no triple digit highs in the forecast for the next 7 to 10 days; however, the Climate Prediction Center's 8 to 14 day outlooks do place East Texas in an area likely to trend warmer than normal.

 

Today in weather history... On September 3, 1974, an early freeze struck MN and WI as temperatures fell into the upper 20s-lower 30s. The cold was the earliest freeze on record in some parts of the states. The most significant damage (upwards of $100 million) was to the soybean and corn crops. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.

 

Also on today's show, updates on the deadly flash flood at the Grand Canyon and details on late season heat impacting Chicago. Additionally, our satellite imagery of the day, showing Tropical Storm Edouard forming and making landfall along the Gulf Coast, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

 

We are on weather alert this evening as Tropical Storm Edouard makes landfall and moves into East Texas as it weakens. A First Alert Weather Day is in place for tonight and tomorrow for Deep East Texas. The risk for severe weather (tornadoes, wind, hail) is low with this storm; however, there is a high concern for flooding/flash flooding from the heavy rain associated with Edouard. The highest rainfall totals in East Texas are expected along the Trinity River; flood watches are in effect for parts of the area. Rainfall totals will range from nothing/zero for some East Texans, all the way up to 4 or 5 inches or more. A welcome relief from the heat will come with the clouds and the rain over the next couple of days; highs will be in the upper 80s and low 90s Wednesday and Thursday. Heading into Labor Day weekend, highs will return to the upper 90s. Low-end chances for rain will be in the forecast for the weekend as well. Have a great evening.

 

Today in weather history... On September 1-2, 1859, the most intense solar storm in documented history impacted Earth. Known as the "Carrington Event", this geomagnetic storm produced auroras seen as close to the Equator as Cuba and Hawaii. Telegraph infrastructure was severely damaged worldwide. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.

 

Also on today's show, updates on the deadly flash flood at the Grand Canyon. Additionally, our satellite imagery of the day, showing Tropical Storm Edouard making landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

 

Happy Friday, we've made it to the end of the week! A few isolated showers and storms will be possible this evening. These should hopefully not be too disruptive for high school football as they'll be few and far between. There will be another low chance for rain on Saturday. High temperatures this weekend will be in the upper 90s and triple digits under sunny to mostly sunny skies. Low-end chances for rain will be in the forecast next week, including Labor Day weekend. High temperatures will remain in the upper 90s and triple digits for the next 7 to 10 days.

 

Today in weather history... On August 28, 2005, the 1 AM NHC update raised Hurricane Katrina to Category 4 intensity. By 7 AM, it was a Category 5 with winds of 160 mph. Around 10 AM CDT, a mandatory evacuation was issued for New Orleans. At 10:11, NWS New Orleans issued its infamous bulletin. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.

 

Also on today's show, updates on the deadly flood in Nepal as well as wildfires in Texas. Additionally, our satellite imagery of the day, showing an Ariane 6 rocket launching the EUMETSET MTG-I2 weather satellite into space from French Guiana, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

A few isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible Thursday evening, primarily in Deep East Texas. Temperatures will fall into the middle 70s overnight. Friday will be sunny to mostly sunny with highs in the upper 90s, and triple digits for some. Lower humidity Friday afternoon and evening should make for a somewhat more tolerable evening as high school football games across the area kick off. The weekend forecast calls for sunny, hot, and dry conditions. Chances for rain return to the forecast next week, with continued signs that Labor Day weekend could have higher chances for rain.

 

Today in weather history... On August 27, 2020, Major Hurricane Laura made landfall in Southwest Louisiana near Camera around 1am on August 27th as a strong Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph, and a minimum central pressure of 938 mb. Today's daily weather history segment comes courtesy of the National Weather Service Shreveport.

 

Also on today's show, updates on severe weather and fires across the United States, as well as a deadly flash flood in Nepal. Additionally, our satellite imagery of the day, showing disorganized convection bubbles around newly formed Tropical Storm Dolly over the Central Atlantic Ocean, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible this evening into the overnight hours. The Storm Prediction Center has a risk for strong wind and hail for parts of East Texas through Thursday pre-dawn. A weak cold front will move through East Texas on Thursday, bringing relief from the heat - highs will only be in the upper 90s! Yes, it'll still be hot out there, just not as hot. The weekend forecast is looking sunny to mostly sunny and hot; highs will remain in the upper 90s. Next week, the forecast calls for similar conditions. Chances for rain will return to the forecast by Labor Day weekend.

 

Today in weather history... On August 26, 1992, Hurricane Andrew made a second and final landfall in Louisiana. While the effects were not as severe as in the Miami-Dade area, over 20,000 structures in the state were damaged or destroyed. 17 people were killed, including two by an F3 in LaPlace. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.

 

This week's weather word is "zonda." (Or sondo, viento zonda.) A hot wind in Argentina. This definition comes from the American Meteorological Society's Glossary of Meteorology (2026). 

 

Also on today's show, details on a deadly flash flood in Nepal. Additionally, our satellite imagery of the day, showing the Ross fire, located west of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, exploding to 50,000 acres in size during the night of August 24, 2026, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

Clouds and scattered showers have kept East Texas cooler this Tuesday. For some, the clouds and a few showers did the same on Monday as well. Additional chances for showers and even a few thunderstorms are in the forecast for tomorrow, Thursday, and potentially Friday as well. A weak cold front will move into East Texas on Thursday. This cold front will bring a shift in winds, chances for rain, but will do little to actually cool the air. Highs will remain in the upper 90s and triple digits through the weekend and next week.

 

Today in weather history... On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall at 10 PM near Rockport, Texas. It was the strongest hurricane to strike America since Wilma in 2005. The Category 4 left behind a record $125 billion in damage (tied Katrina) and killed 106 people in the United States. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.

 

Also on today's show, updates on wildfires in Texas and other parts of the U.S. Additionally, our weekly forecast accuracy report that was missed due to no show yesterday will be included in today's show.. Lastly, our satellite imagery of the day, showing a mesoscale convective vorticity maximum, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

Warmer than normal temperatures will continue through the end of August and may persist into the Fall per new NOAA long-range climate outlooks. High temperatures for the next 7 to 10 days will be in the upper 90s and triple digits. That said, rainfall coverage and totals for tomorrow and Saturday have increased as our confidence has grown in the probability for rain in East Texas. Rain over the next few days will certainly be beneficial but will not be enough to completely reverse the rapid onset of drought across the area. Looking ahead to September and the Fall, NOAA and the Climate Prediction Center released their climate outlooks for the next few months. Their forecast favors warmer than normal temperatures and near normal precipitation for the Fall. Going into winter, the odds of wetter than normal conditions appear in the NOAA and Climate Prediction Center forecast, which is expected as we are in a strong El Niño.

 

Today in weather history... On August 20, 1886, a very powerful Category 4 slammed into the port city of Indianola, Texas. The storm had an estimated central pressure of 925 millibars at landfall, making it one of the most intense hurricanes to hit the US. At least 74 people were killed. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.

 

Also on today's show, and unrelated weather, but we're looking at our changing attention spans as kids head back to school. Lastly, our satellite imagery of the day (from the archive), showing Thunderstorms fire up along the Texas and New Mexico border, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

High temperatures in the triple digits will continue through the end of the week; heat advisories and warnings remain in effect from the National Weather Service. We will have a few days with low-end chances for rain in the forecast over the next 7 to 10 days, but no drought busting gully washers are expected. Towards the end of next week, highs look to be a few degrees cooler, but still above normal for late August. The long-range forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center remain unchanged from prior days this week. Warmer and drier than normal conditions are likely for East Texas into the beginning of September. Given the worsening drought conditions, fire danger remains high to very high across the area. Burn bans are in effect for most of East Texas.

 

Today in weather history... On August 19, 1838, Hugo Hildebrand Hildebrandsson, a Swedish meteorologist and professor famous for compiling the first International Cloud Atlas, was born in Stockholm. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.

 

This week's weather word is "youg." A youg is a hot wind during unsettled weather in the Mediterranean. This definition comes from the American Meteorological Society's Glossary of Meteorology (2026). 

 

Also on today's show, we're following up on severe storms in the Midwest and an update on which U.S. city hit an all-time record high yesterday. Lastly, our satellite imagery of the day (from the archive), showing a roll cloud emerging from Northern Western Australia, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.

There have been no major changes to the forecast; East Texas will continue to experience hot and mostly sunny afternoons for the foreseeable future. Daily highs will be in the upper 90s and triple digits for the next 7 to 10 days, heat alerts from the National Weather Service will likely continue. There are low-end chances for rain in the forecast, but overall, most of East Texas will stay dry through the end of August. New today, both Smith and Gregg counties have issued burn bans. For counties not under burn bans, the fire danger is still high to very high. In the long-range, no major changes either. Warmer and drier than normal conditions are expected through the end of the month. Being a Tuesday, NOAA and the Climate Prediction Center did release new long-range tropical weather outlooks that depict low chance areas for potential development into early September.

 

Today in weather history... On August 18, 1983, Hurricane Alicia made landfall on Galveston Island, Texas, as a Category 3. Thousands of homes were destroyed by wind and storm surge, and nearly all skyscrapers in Houston lost windows. 21 people were killed and $3 billion in damage was left behind. The daily weather history segments come to us courtesy of the Southeast Regional Climate Center.

 

Also on today's show, updates on the aftermath of Lala in Hawaii, as well as video of a lightning strike on a World War II-era battleship. Lastly, our satellite imagery of the day (from the archive), showing mystical swirls of ice along the Greenland East Coast, courtesy of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere.