Summer weather is in full swing in Milwaukee.
Hot and humid temperatures are expected over the coming week, with showers and thunderstorms possible every day until Friday. Temperatures are expected to reach the high 80s all week and may feel even hotter as dew points reach the 70s.
Aidan Kuroski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Milwaukee-Sullivan, said a ridge of high pressure, or an elongated area of relatively high pressure, over the western United States is responsible for the hot and humid weather.
“The best way to describe the ridge is as a giant bubble over the western United States,” he explained. “Then, these small ripples appear on the north side of the bubble, and these ripples are called short waves. Over the next week, these ripples seemed to affect our area every day.”
Wet weather in the 80s expected in Milwaukee this week
Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80s on Monday and Tuesday, with overnight lows near 70 degrees. However, dew points in the 60s and 70s will make it feel warm, especially Monday afternoon, which could feel closer to 90 degrees between 1 and 6 p.m.
Temperatures will rise into the upper 80s on Tuesday and Wednesday and remain humid. Kuroski said Wednesday could feel as hot as the mid-90s, especially farther away from Lake Michigan. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-80s at least Saturday. The ridge will weaken early next week and temperatures will return to the mid-70s.
Milwaukee likely to have storms every day this week
Hot and humid weather will create favorable conditions for storms throughout the week. Showers and thunderstorms are possible every day starting around 11 a.m. Sunday through at least Friday. Showers and thunderstorms possible after 1pm on Sunday, most likely between 4pm and 9pm
The chance of precipitation is highest this week on Monday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service. Throughout the day around 6 a.m. Tuesday, odds are low, but not zero. It could be powerful, Roski said.
He went on to say that severe storms or tornadoes are most likely to occur through much of Wednesday into Thursday. This is due to a cold front expected to move in from Canada on Wednesday night.
Hot weather safety tips
Hot weather can cause heat-related illness and even death. The Milwaukee Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer the following hot weather safety tips:
- Slow down and limit physical activity.
- Spend time in air-conditioned areas such as shopping malls, movie theaters or libraries.
- Do not leave children or pets in parked cars. Temperatures can become life-threatening within minutes.
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
- Take a cold bath or shower. Apply a damp washcloth to your skin to cool down.
- Do not rely on fans as the primary cooling device.
- Drink lots of water.
- Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, which increase the thermic effect.
Wisconsin weather radar
