Heat reaching peak; Storm chances are emerging

Temperatures climbed Tuesday and a surge in humidity brought the heat index to 100° and higher. Storms could bring some local, temporary relief

It’s the HOTTEST of the year Tuesday with a preliminary high of 94°. While just 3° warmer than Monday, it is the surge in humidity that leads to heat indices exceeding 100°. Three dates this year have reached a heat index of 100° or higher. June 17th (101°) July 15th (105°) and August 6th (101°). t he peak heat index Tuesday, 112°, Galveston 113° Raccoon Lake & 112° Tipton. Indianapolis high 99° for several hours and may have touched 100° briefly, we are waiting for the official word late day.

The heat and humidity will continue for the rest of the week but with varying levels. Should storms be less of an impact Wednesday, area heat indices will likely once again reach 100° or higher. While the storm chance and their impact are monitored, a heat advisory has been extended through Wednesday evening.

STORM CHANCES ON THE INCREASE?

Thunderstorms in this environment are awful hard to develop but around the periphery of the core of heat they thrive. Storms are expected to develop and expand in northern Illinois later tonight and drift south to northcentral Indiana late. A gusty storm could be afforded and will be monitored but more importantly these decaying storms may leave “leftovers” Wednesday. We are expecting to heat up again Wednesday, heat index back to 100° or higher but the remnants of late-night storms could bring on afternoon thunderstorms, some of which that may be gusty/strong or even severe. The timing for this round could come from 2pm through 5pm Wednesday.

REAL RELIEF IS COMING

We’ve identified as many as three wind shifting, cold fronts to pass before Labor Day morning. The first two may be subtle, starting Thursday with a slight drawdown in humidity. The second would bring a better chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening and producing a much more notable drop in humidity and air temperatures opening the long Labor Day weekend. The third and final in the series passes late Sunday, this is the front that behind it flows refreshing, mild air from Canada and drops area temperatures well into the 50s by sunrise Monday and a Labor Day afternoon in the 70s!

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