A large and intense upper level ridge of high pressure centered over the southern United States brought record heat to Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana from August 8th through August 14th.  Numerous locations saw temperatures rise over the 100 degree mark for the first time in one to two years.  Some areas saw high temperatures soar to readings not seen since the record heat wave that occurred 7 years ago in the summer of 2000.  This oppressive heat has even lasted through the overnight hours, with temperatures only falling into the 70s and lower 80s at night.  Some of these warm overnight temperatures set records, and a few were even the warmest minimum temperatures ever recorded for the month of August.

These extreme temperatures, when combined with dewpoints in the upper 60s to middle 70s, led to dangerous heat index values in the 105 to 112 degree range during the late morning and afternoon hours across the area for several days.  NWS Lake Charles issued near-daily heat advisories to warn the public of the dangerous outdoor conditions caused by the record heat.