Today could be the hottest day for the rest of the year.

We've known this day was coming for some time. We watched with bated breath today as it approached day 10. It's finally here. Today is forecast to be not only the hottest day of the year so far, but possibly the hottest day of the year (if we're lucky!). Heat advisories are in effect for most of Central Texas until 9 p.m. A heat advisory means that heat and humidity make it extremely dangerous to be outside without taking proper precautions to beat the heat. Morning temperatures will start out in the high 70s to low 80s and will climb to as high as 105 degrees by late afternoon. Heat index readings will thankfully not be higher than 105 degrees. also also bad, as humidity will be fairly low, but heat index values ​​could still reach as high as 111°. Fortunately, this morning's extreme heat will be replaced by “normal” summer heat thanks to a passing cold front.

HEAT PROTECTION: As the heat continues over the next few days, here are a few helpful tips:

• Never leave children or pets unattended in the vehicle
• Drink plenty of water before and during outdoor activities
• Take frequent breaks in the shade or in air-conditioned rooms.
• Wear light/loose-fitting clothing

Today's cold front won't change temperatures much from Tuesday into Wednesday, but it will start a cooling trend that should continue into early next week. Highs on Wednesday will drop to 103°, drop to 102° on Thursday, drop a bit to 100° on Friday, and finally stabilize above 90° this weekend. We could even see some temperatures above 90° next week as rain chances increase again. The cold front moving through today should slow from Texas to Florida. Weak waves of energy will ride along the lingering front from the Atlantic, meaning it will take some time to reach us, but one of those waves of energy could reach Texas next Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. It's entirely possible that a weak tropical depression or tropical storm could form in the Gulf of Mexico this weekend or early next week, but the chances of that happening aren't very high right now. However, it's a reminder that we're in the most active phase of hurricane season!

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