This summer is hot … very hot. Any Houstonian knows that the heat and humidity are part of the package when living here. Unfortunately, this year, even the most seasoned locals are feeling the intensity of the summer heat. With record highs all season long, even a short walk to the car feels like a trek through a sauna. So, when can we look forward to going outside again? Bad news: not anytime soon. But there might be some positives to this scorching season.

The unprecedented heat is the result of a high-pressure area, or heat dome, formed by trapped hot ocean air between the Southern Plains. This dome has been moving around the region all summer, often centering on Texas and creating hot days with periods where the heat is intensely escalated. It’s also to blame for the ongoing drought plaguing the city.

“It's the same sort of weather pattern that's been helping to keep us dry all summer too,” says Matt Lanza, managing editor and forecast meteorologist at Space City Weather, a website covering daily Houston weather patterns. “What we need is something to give, and usually when you get stuck in these types of weather patterns that are persistent and just don't quit you need some sort of either large-scale fundamental change to occur in what's happening.”

This is where the good news comes in. For the hot weather to subside one of two things needs to happen: either the season needs to change or a more intense weather phenomenon, like a hurricane or tropical storm, needs to occur. In other words, the heat dome is keeping the hurricanes at bay.

As Texans brace for the peak of hurricane season, the heat might just be what we need to counter any tropical-related natural disaster. A great example of this phenomenon is Tropical Storm Herald, which was initially forecasted to hit Louisiana but got pushed down to South Texas due to Louisiana’s intense heat. Lanza says he sees a marked difference between the ongoing hurricane season compared to previous ones, mostly due to the heat dome’s impact on the region.

“We have this pattern where all summer there’s not really been that many storms but if there would have been something [the heat dome] would have deflected it away,” Lanza explains. “I think that as long as this weather pattern stays in place, it actually helps protect us a little bit from any tropical mischief, which is good news. Yes, we need the rain but no, we don’t need major hurricanes, especially given how warm the Gulf of Mexico is right now.”

Even though the heat dome is shielding the city of Houston from hurricanes and tropical storms, Lanza says there will always be a chance that they occur, so Houstonians should be ready in case of emergencies. He adds that while the drought carries on, light sprinkles moving fast across the plains are probable, although only temporary as the dry weather will endure.

So, when is this hellscape ending? Do not plan on cooler weather until the latter half of fall. This summer’s heat is quite close to the 2011 summer heat wave, which was Houston’s hottest until now, and Lanza believes that the temperature coupled with the humidity and rising climate change makes the season feel much worse. So, if you want to stay cool in the meantime, consider indulging in frozen treats, hopping in the pool, or even partaking in indoor activities.

And don’t forget to stay hydrated!