HOUSTON – If you’ve spent any extended time outside the past two weeks, you’ve likely thought, “This seems way too hot for early May?” You would be right! Average temperatures for most of the area this time of year are in the mid-80s. However, we’ve kicked off May with temperatures more akin to what we would see in late June!

Check out the blazing week we’ve had for Galveston over the past five days! Afternoon highs have either tied or set new records.

Why is it so hot?

We’re currently under the influence of what’s called in the weather world, an Omega Block scenario. This is what it looks like according to the weather maps:

It’s called an Omega Block because of the Greek letter “omega” formation that the jet stream makes. This usually happens when there are areas of low pressure both along the western U.S. and eastern U.S. Meanwhile, here in Texas, we’re under the influence of a hot, strong area of high pressure that pulls in both hot, dry air from Mexico and lots of humidity from the Gulf. Consequently, we’re able to spike temperatures well above normal, which is what we’ve seen for almost two weeks: Highs in the low to mid-90s!

This pattern creates a weather traffic jam and none of the big players on the weather map can move so we can stay in this stagnant pattern for days and even weeks.

Ways to handle this early summer heat:

It generally will take your body a few weeks to acclimate to the Texas summer heat, KPRC2 Meteorologist Justin Stapleton had some tips about what to watch for if you may be in heat distress. Watch his full explanation in the video at the top of this article.