Bob Peters Forecast

Hot temperatures will continue in East Texas for much of this week, though readings lowering to normal are forecast for next weekend.

Tyler had its hottest day in nearly two years when the mercury reached 103 at 4:33 p.m. The last time it was this warm was on August 16, 2006. Temperatures at every station in the area reached or exceeded 100 degrees on Saturday.

Drier air over the southwest held down the heat index values. This air did not push north of IH-20, and heat index values east of a Nacogdoches-Mount Pleasant line were around 105.

Paris and Gilmer each reported a maximum afternoon heat index of 107, while Nacogdoches reported 109 — for the region’s highest.

Tyler’s highest heat index was 104.

Similarly high heat index values are forecast for Sunday and probably Monday.

Saturday’s temperatures ran near Friday’s, and were about 6 degrees above normal.

Low readings were in the middle to high 70s, which are forecast again for Sunday through Tuesday.

High readings on Sunday should be generally above 100, with high 90s to near 100 on Monday, and middle to high 90s on Tuesday.

The upper air high pressure ridge may start to weaken slightly beginning Monday afternoon.

Late this week, the upper air high is forecast to shift westward. This will permit a further lowering of temperatures, and might even introduce a chance for showers.

Winds were light southwesterly overnight, and light and southerly during the day with a slight increase in velocities around mid-day during the time when heating is at its highest rate.

Similar winds will continue through Tuesday.

Tyler’s highest sustaining wind Saturday was southerly at 14 mph with a peak gust of 17 mph, and an average velocity of 6.4 mph.

Saturday’s average relative humidity was 53 percent, with similar values likely Sunday and Monday.