Central Wisconsin to see heat indices up to 105 & chance for strong storms Monday & Tuesday

Extreme heat and the potential for strong storms will impact central Wisconsin Monday and Tuesday.

Air temperatures Monday will range between the upper 80s to middle 90s with high humidity bringing heat indices to the mid-90s up to 105 in some areas Monday afternoon, Mike Cellitti, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told a USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporter. A heat advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Monday for central Wisconsin counties.

Thunderstorms with a threat of strong wind gusts may develop in several rounds after 10 p.m. Monday continuing until about 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. Tuesday. Predictability is low for these storms, though the risk for storms is higher in the northern part of the central Wisconsin region, Cellitti said.

The extent of the storms overnight will have an impact on Tuesday’s weather, though temperatures and heat indices are expected to remain high, between 95 to 100 degrees. A front will move in from the northwest Tuesday, which may also trigger additional showers and storms late in the afternoon or Tuesday evening.

After the front moves through Tuesday, temperatures for the rest of the week will see highs in the upper 70s and low 80s with more tolerable heat indices, Cellitti said.

The National Weather Service recommends practicing heat safety during times of extreme heat events. Heat safety includes staying hydrated and taking breaks in the shade on outdoor job sites, checking on others who may have limited mobility in homes without air conditioning, making sure to keep children and pets with you instead of leaving them in a vehicle and limiting strenuous outdoor activities.

Preventing heat-related illness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following tips for staying safe during extreme heat:

• Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you are and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. Stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks − these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
• Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible.
• Choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
• Do not leave kids or anyone else in cars.
• Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to recover.
• Cut down on exercise during the heat. If you’re not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually.

Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Central Wisconsin to see heat indices up to 105 & chance for strong storms Monday & Tuesday