Hot & humid this week

Hot & humid weather is something we should expect in the middle of July - after all, it is summer.  But when the hot & humid weather comes at a time when we haven't had too much of it so far this season then it's something to talk about.

A very interesting weather pattern is in place across the U.S. this week.  A cut-off low pressure system continues to sit and spin across the southern Plains.  This is bringing some much needed rain to drought stricken areas in the south but also will come with the threat for flooding.  Further to the east a ridge of high pressure is inching west across the Ohio River Valley and is expected to be firmly in place across the Midwest by the middle of this week.  A few widely scattered showers and thunderstorms may develop later this afternoon as the humidity continues to build during the peak heating of daytime. 

Other than a few thunderstorms later this afternoon, the humidity will really begin to become a concern this week.  As the ridge in the southeast moves further west it will likely help suppress thunderstorm development Tuesday through Thursday.  With drier skies above the temperatures will rise into the low to middle 90s with the heat index possibly reaching the lower 100s during the afternoon.  This type of heat is something we haven't had too much experience with so far this year and with several days of hot and humid weather it could very well become dangerous.  Please take the necessary precautions if you're going to be out for a prolonged period of time this week.  Click here for some safety tips during hot and humid weather.  The hot and humid weather will stick around through the end of the week until the passage of a cold front Friday evening.