A brief period of potentially dangerous heat and humidity continues Friday into Saturday. Temperatures are likely to be warmer in most areas on Friday than Thursday as more sunshine is expected. Heat warnings and heat warnings are in effect for the Local 6 area until 8pm on Friday.
High temperatures will reach the 90s to near 100 degrees across the region, with afternoon heat index peaks near 110 degrees and even as high as 115 degrees in a few areas with higher dew points.
Heat warnings or warnings may be in place again for parts of the region on Saturday, with temperatures potentially soaring into the mid-to-upper 90s by early afternoon. Taking into account humidity factors, muggy index readings are likely to reach at least 105-110 degrees again by early afternoon. There is more uncertainty in the temperature forecast for Saturday afternoon due to the greater chance of clouds and scattered thunderstorms.
The atmosphere will become quite unstable over the next few afternoons due to high temperatures and humidity, possibly resulting in strong to severe thunderstorms every day Friday through Sunday. On Friday, the best time for storms appears to be around 4 to 11 p.m., mainly in southern Illinois and perhaps western Kentucky. Large hail and gusty winds are the main threats.
The chances of strong to severe thunderstorms appear to be greater Saturday afternoon and evening, when a more organized system will arrive and move into very unstable air over our region. A more severe threat of damaging winds is possible, with the possibility of large hail.
If you're planning on heading outdoors this weekend, make sure you have a way to stay informed about weather conditions. Get the WPSD Radar app ready and enable warning and lightning notifications. If you'll be camping or boating outdoors, make sure you have the ability to quickly find sturdy shelter when a storm approaches. Remember, tents and boats do not provide lightning protection. If you can hear thunder, you are close and could be struck by lightning. When the thunder roars, come inside!
