Saharan Dust and Heat Mark Start of July in Austin

As we kick off July, Austin is facing minimal rain chances and above-average temperatures. What’s worse, it’s a pattern we’ve experienced already for the past month. We played the old song and dance of cloudy mornings transitioning to sunny afternoons, with the occasional pop-up shower or thunderstorm.

June has ended with a rainfall deficit of around 3 inches below normal, which made last month Austin’s driest June in 13 years with only 0.8 inch of rain recorded. Despite the unusually warm temperatures, afternoon highs stayed mostly in the 90s, avoiding triple digits, although the humidity made it feel hotter on some days.

We’ll be welcoming July on Tuesday under hazy skies and hot weather, with little chance of rain in the forecast. This is great news for anyone looking forward to the 48th Austin Symphony Orchestra July 4th Concert and Fireworks Celebration on Friday evening in downtown Austin.

The subtropical high, a ridge of high atmospheric pressure, is a summer staple in Texas. This system shifts west and east but can dominate Texas weather for extended periods. This week, it will position itself over East Texas, generating southerly winds with its clockwise air flow. This flow will pull moisture-rich air from the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in higher humidity.

Daytime temperatures will reach the mid-90s, but the heat index, or humidity-influenced “feels like” temperatures, will range between 98 and 102 degrees. Rain chances will remain low and confined to areas west of the Interstate 35 corridor, including the Hill Country and the Edwards Plateau.

Long holiday weekend

Sunshine and near triple-digit heat will define this year’s Independence Day forecast. After experiencing two triple-digit days in May and none in June, the extreme heat will likely return this weekend, right on schedule, as the climate-average date for Austin to experience its first triple-digit temperatures of the year is July 4.

This weather is ideal for lounging by the pool, taking a dip in Barton Springs or Deep Eddy, or spending the day on Lake Travis. Remember to apply sunscreen, wear a hat, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol while in the sun. Average temperatures for this time of year are 74 degrees before dawn and 95 degrees in the afternoon.

What is the hazy sky?

Dust from the Sahara in North Africa has traveled 6,000 miles to Texas and is now giving Austin a hazy, milky sky. This layer of dust, floating about 10,000 feet above the ground, plays a beneficial role by suppressing tropical storm development over the ocean. The particles also scatter sunlight low on the horizon, which can enhance the reddish-orange colors of Texas sunrises and sunsets, making them more vibrant and picturesque.

Unfortunately, the dust can also pose health concerns, as its fine particulate matter can aggravate allergies and asthma, causing symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing and nasal congestion. While it does limit tropical storm activity, it also reduces the chances of receiving much-needed rain in Central Texas.

The current plume of Saharan dust will linger over Central Texas until midweek before gradually dissipating. However, if you’re planning a trip to the Texas coast for the holiday weekend, the dust and haze are expected to remain prevalent in that area.