Near-record temperatures, triple-digit heat in Iowa City to start the week. What to know:

Eastern Iowa will experience a triple-digit heat index and possible record temperatures Monday as a heat wave rolls through the state.

Hot and humid conditions blanketed the area over the weekend after below-average temperatures sustained through much of August.

Heat in excess of 90 degrees is expected to stick around eastern Iowa through Tuesday.

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Meteorologists warn of excessive heat

Excessive heat warnings have been issued through much of eastern Iowa, extending to Wisconsin and Illinois.

The scorching forecasts come as area school districts begin their first full week of school and University of Iowa students return to class.

The heat even prompted Cedar Rapids schools to release students early on Monday, with high school and middle school students departing at 10:50 a.m. and elementary students leaving at 11:50 a.m.

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How hot will it get on Monday?

Monday's forecasts are calling for temperatures in the high 90s.

Accuweather's forecast predicts record-tying heat in Iowa City with a high of 98. The National Weather Service expects peak heat index readings to reach 115 degrees Fahrenheit across the area.

The record-high temperature for Cedar Rapids on this date is 97 F, recorded exactly 100 years ago. Accuweather's temperature history shows Iowa City's record high for Aug. 26 as 98 F, last reached in 2003.

Today's hottest temperatures are expected between 3-5 p.m.

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What does Tuesday's forecast look like?

The dangerous heat will not depart the area quickly.

Tuesday's forecasted high for Iowa City is 96 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat index is expected to fall between 105-110 F once again as the warm front tracks east.

The NWS is predicting slightly cooler temperatures at the nearest measuring station in Cedar Rapids, with forecast highs of 93 F on Tuesday.

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A cool down is on the horizon

A Tuesday evening storm could bring slightly cooler for the rest of the week.

The NWS expects a "marginal" risk of severe weather in much of eastern Iowa, the second-lowest rating on the organization's severe weather scale.

Temperatures for the rest of the week are forecast in the 80s. Saturday's forecast for the University of Iowa football opener calls for a high of 85 F and sun.

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Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Near-record temperatures, triple-digit heat in Iowa City to start the week. What to know: