We are closing in on the end of July and it’s hard to believe we are just over a month away from the start of meteorological Fall! However, don’t trade in the tank tops for sweaters just yet, as the hottest air of the Summer is on its way.
As we head into this weekend and early next week, upper-level troughing will be in place across the Midwest region. This will allow below average temperatures to remain in place. However, the large upper-level ridge out the west will bring well above average temperatures there. Some places in California will be 10-20°+ above average Saturday afternoon!
By mid-next week, the hot dome of air to the west will start to shift east across the country. The upper-level high will continue to shift further east through the week allowing for well above average height anomalies to spread into the Midwest Wednesday into Thursday. This will usher in what will likely be the hottest air of the season mid-next week into the following weekend (July 26-30 period).
Data suggests temperatures mid to late next week will be 10-15° F above average for some across the region. This means we could see widespread 90°+ temperatures across the Midwest and even into the northern Great Lakes!
While the heat will be oppressive, moisture values will be high as well as southerly winds transport moisture up from the Gulf of Mexico. These elements combined will bring dangerous conditions, with heat indexes expected to climb into the upper 90’s to over 100° late next week and perhaps into that following weekend.
Heat indexes this high can quickly lead to heat-related illnesses and even death. Over the last 30 years, heat has caused the most weather-related fatalities annually with 168 per year. That’s 79 more fatalities than the second leading weather-related cause- flooding- and almost 100 more per year than tornadoes! The bottom line is, be prepared for the upcoming heat! If you need to be outside make sure stay hydrated, stay cool, take frequent breaks, and be safe.
