Heat index could top 100 degrees on second-straight scorcher in Austin

Published 11:03 am Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Hunker down as a heat wave continues.

Austin’s Tuesday high is forecasted at 94 degrees, just two degrees shy of the June 19, 1953, record.

Today may be the hottest day Austin has seen all year; however, the heat will likely taper on Wednesday as the high is forecasted for 78 degrees.

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“Today will be the last hot and humid day,” said Zack Taylor, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in La Crosse, Wis. “A cold front is coming through into the region tomorrow.”

Taylor added the heat index could possibly creep past 100 degrees — once again threatening peak energy alerts and causing people to take caution while working outside.

NWS issued a hazardous weather outlook because of the heat, along with the potential for severe storms that could follow on Wednesday. Strong winds, large hail and rain could touch the area on Wednesday; however, much of the threat may lie west of Austin.

Storms could also return to the area on Thursday and Friday nights.