Heat and humidity climb ahead of Wednesday's severe potential

Though yesterday was a tad bit warmer than Sunday, the air quality wasn't as tedious. High pressure to the south and east was able to filter out some of the thicker wildfire smoke, allowing skies to be less hazy and more sun-filled and blue. 

We're still under the influence of this high pressure system, meaning today will also be dry with a decent amount of sunshine. However, you may notice that the air will be a bit more humid this afternoon as a light southerly wind pulls richer moisture into the region. This will leave dew point temperatures closer to the 70-degree mark. Temperature-wise, we'll end up back in the upper 80s. With the exception of an isolated sprinkle or shower, tonight remains dry, though temperatures will end up near the 70-degree mark by sunrise. 

This pull in moisture and heat happens ahead of our next storm system which will take aim at the Stateline Wednesday afternoon and evening. With it will be the potential for scattered severe storms.

In their latest outlooks, the Storm Prediction Center upgraded all of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin to a level 2 of 5 Slight Risk. Damaging winds up to 60 mph will be the primary concern, followed by a tornado or two. Again, this would be for the mid-afternoon/evening hours. So please make sure to be weather ready by having multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts. 

Thunderstorm chances should end before midnight as our next cold front swings through. This will help shove some of the higher heat and humidity to our south and east, cooling afternoon highs into the upper 70s for both Thursday and Friday.