In the coming week, another heat dome of high pressure will bring dangerously high temperatures and humidity from the South to portions of the Midwest.
Over the next few days, the upper Midwest and Northeast will see a break from the intense heat of summer, but as the week progresses, July’s reputation for oppressive heat and muggy air will be on full display.
And for certain people, that might have genuine staying power.
The following are the forecast’s key conclusions:
Where Will It Come From And When?
- Through early next week, heat and oppressive humidity will progressively increase throughout the lower and mid-Mississippi Valleys, as well as in some areas of the South.
- Parts of the Great Lakes and the Midwest, particularly the Ohio Valley, will have hotter, more humid weather starting Tuesday.
- As early as Wednesday, air that is at least moderately hot and humid might also spread into areas of the Northeast.
How Warm Will It Become?
Compared to the late June heat wave, we are not anticipating nearly as many daily record highs. However, this is because it is more challenging to create new daily record highs during this time of year because it is the hottest time of year in regions of the South, Midwest, and East.
It will still be extremely hot, though. The 90s will have moved into the lower Midwest from the South by the middle of the week. In the Northeast, temperatures might reach the 90s by the end of the week.
Texas, Oklahoma, northern Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri are among the Southern states that may see triple-digit highs for a number of consecutive days.
Additionally, as the heat wave intensifies, overnight lows in the middle to high 70s will become more frequent. Those without air conditioning won’t be able to cool off much at night thanks to that.
Suppressing Humidity as Well
The air will be extremely humid, especially in the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys, as a result of this heat.
The wettest summertime temperatures in these regions can reach the upper 70s or even the low 80s, according to certain dew points.
Occasionally, some humid air with dew points in the 70s may also be drawn north into the upper Midwest and Northeast.
Read Also: 9-Day Forecast: Weekend Heat Wave Followed by Rainy Pattern
How Much Time Will This Take?
While gradually moving westward into the Rockies, this heat wave may regrettably persist in the Plains and South through at least the final weekend of July.
The last weekend of July appears to be the ideal time for the Northeast to experience some heat relief, according to our longer-range outlooks.
Why is It So Hot?
It is predicted that a heat dome, a powerful bubble of high pressure, will form in the sky.
The strong sunshine at this time of year heats the ground and air above it most effectively because sinking air close to the core of this heat dome inhibits clouds.
On the heat dome’s western edge, southerly winds draw hotter, more humid air northward.
On the heat dome’s northern edge, same winds may then push the oppressive air eastward, occasionally causing thunderstorm clusters to be fueled by high winds and/or flooding rain.
