Extreme heat before 4th of July storms

Happy, happy Tuesday!

July started very pleasant across the Ozarks. Lower temperatures, low humidity, and breezy conditions made it a nice day. For our eastern counties, temperatures topped out in the 70’s!

Today, all of that will change. The heat returns, humidity spikes, and the breeze won’t be cool and refreshing. Our western part of the Ozarks is under a HEAT ADVISORY from noon until 8pm. While temperatures will top out in the mid-90s, the heat index will be over 100°.

Across the region, extremely high dewpoints are looming to our west. A dewpoint of 70 or higher is air you can wear. Dewpoints in the 50’s make it feel very comfortable. This moisture will work into the Ozarks through Tuesday and Wednesday. Any rain that falls could add up quickly with this much moisture in the atmosphere.

Tuesday night into Wednesday morning will bring in the first chance of rain. The chance of rain will turn into scattered storms on Wednesday. This will lead us into an unsettled pattern through the 4th of July and into Friday morning. The Storm Prediction Center has placed parts of Missouri and the Ozarks at risk of storms over the next three days. Our greatest threat will be on Thursday.

Wednesday’s rain chance looks to be scattered, with stronger storms likely later in the day. If a thunderstorm moves over your area, you can expect impressive amounts of rainfall in a short amount of time.

Let’s talk about the 4th of July. We should see a break in the action on Thursday morning. This will allow us to get in those parades and lunchtime cook-outs. It will be hot and humid through Thursday morning. The chance for storms will increase later in the day. The storms could mess up firework plans for Thursday.

Once the chance of rain ends early Friday, the holiday weekend is shaping up to be quite nice.

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