Summer-like heat set to return next week

 While much of the region has enjoyed some cooler days and refreshing nights as of late, a more summer-like pattern featuring heat and humidity will return starting this weekend. The upper levels of the atmosphere have been favorable for cooler, more comfortable weather as of late, with a Northwest direction to the flow aloft. This has kept a lot of the typical summertime heat and humidity away from us across the Western United States.

But as that ridge begins to shift East, it will bring a lot of the heat with it. As the jet stream flows North of the Stateline, summertime heat and humidity will build up across the Plains and into the Midwest. This will push temperatures into the upper 80s and near 90 some days next week, beginning Sunday and Monday. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible each day, with higher confidence on storms along the higher concentration of jet stream winds across the Northern Plains and Upper Great Lakes.

It does appear this pattern will stick with us a bit longer, as the Climate Prediction Center is giving us a 70-80% chance we will see above average temperatures to start the month of September. Average highs for this time of year are closer to the low 80s and upper 70s, so it appears likely we will see more mid to upper 80s if not a couple 90s thrown in there.