Summer solstice heat wave rolling in across area

Summer begins at 8:57 a.m. today. And with this summer solstice comes a heat wave.

Each day this week and the first half of next has a chance to see triple-digit temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.

“We have a ridge of high pressure going over the region. It’s going to be dry and breezy. Wednesday through the weekend will have the highest temperatures, in the low 100s. There’s no sign temperatures will be decreasing soon,” NWS Meteorologist Matt Denaria said on Monday.

Denaria said before the monsoon begins in July it’s the warmest time of the year for the area.

“But we’re looking at the monsoon starting later; for the next month we will have low precipitation, Denaria said.

Denaria said the beginnings of monsoonal activity are being seen in Mexico where the region’s wet weather comes from.

“We’re unclear as to when our monsoon will begin,” Denaria said.

In the meantime with the high pressure over the region there is heavy air that keeps clouds from forming, reducing precipitation, according to Denaria.

Records show the normal high for Curry and Roosevelt counties in June is about 91 degrees, and 92 degrees for July.

“June heat waves typically bring high temperatures in the 105- to 110-degree range,” Denaria said.

He said the all-time high for the area was 110 degrees on June 25, 1990.

“We do have some precipitation in the forecast for Thursday. There is a chance storms could return to eastern New Mexico but closer to Clayton, not so much Clovis,” Denaria said.

Roosevelt County Extension Agent Patrick Kircher said it’s important to be sure every person and every animal has access to cool, fresh water when it’s this hot.

“It’s more critical than ever that you’re checking on your loved ones and livestock,” he said.

Overnight lows will be in the 60s the next few weeks.