101-degree temperature breaks record

McALLEN - Temperatures here rose to record levels Friday, and meteorologist say the heat will continue this weekend.

The temperature reached 101 degrees at 3 p.m. in McAllen - 2 degrees hotter than the forecasted high for the day. That mark breaks the previous record for March 14 set in 1946 and tied in 1971, said Joseph Tomaselli, a Brownsville-based meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

The previous record for that date was 94 degrees. The 101 degrees reached Friday is unusual for this time of year in the Rio Grande Valley. The average for March 14 is 81 degrees.

The unseasonable heat likely will continue today, though it won't set any records, Tomaselli said.

The weather service predicts a high of 91 degrees for the day, far short of the 100-degree record set in 1971. High winds and low relative humidity may also continue through the weekend.

Forecasters predict a slight increase in humidity today - welcome news to local firefighters.

Hidalgo County officials had warned residents that burning garbage Friday could cause a massive grass fire. A few small fires ignited in Edinburg and Weslaco, but no major blazes were reported, said Tony Peña, Hidalgo County's emergency management coordinator.

Even though humidity may rise, Peña said people should still refrain from burning trash, as conditions remain conducive for spreading fires.

The heat likely will persist until Sunday, when cloud cover is expected and showers are possible. Meteorologists predict a cold front will then move through the area early next week.

Though the heat should dissipate, the weather service has predicted extreme weather of a different kind.

On Tuesday, the forecast calls for severe thunderstorms, hail and even tornados, Tomaselli said.

"That's not set in stone yet, but it looks like we may have some severe weather moving through here early next week," he said.
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Zack Quaintance covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4447.