Heat indicies approaching triple digits this weekend…mostly sunny for eclipse

Special Weather Statement for Southern Illinois

…Heat Index values in the upper 90s to around 100 degrees
expected each afternoon from Sunday through Tuesday…

A weak high pressure ridge will build in across the area later
today and persist across most of the Quad State region through
early Tuesday. Only small chances for rain are expected during
this time period.

The combination of warm temperatures in upper 80s to lower 90s,
combined with increasing humidity and light winds, will set the
stage for afternoon heat index values topping out in the upper 90s
to around 100 degrees each afternoon from Sunday through Tuesday.

The highest heat index values, between 100 and 103 degrees, are
expected over southeast Missouri and extreme southwest Illinois
and Kentucky on Sunday and Monday.

The time period of greatest concern for higher heat index values
will be from 1 pm through 5 pm CDT each day.

With large numbers of people expected to be outdoors from Sunday
through Tuesday, the potential for heat related illness may
increase, especially for those not accustomed to the typical heat
and humidity of late August.

Be sure to drink plenty of water and find opportunities to keep
cool in the shade, when possible.

The heat should move out of the area later on Tuesday, as showers
and thunderstorms usher in cooler air for the middle of next week

Hazardous Weather outlook

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of southern
Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast
Missouri.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected over parts of
southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, and west Kentucky, mainly
during the morning hours. A few storms may producing damaging winds
and hail, as well as produce brief heavy rainfall and dangerous
lightning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Sunday through Friday

There is a small chance for thunderstorms over southeast Missouri
early Sunday morning.

Heat index values will rise into the upper 90s to around 100
degrees each afternoon from Sunday through Tuesday.

There will be thunderstorm chances for the entire area, mainly
Tuesday and Tuesday night. A few strong to severe thunderstorms
cannot be ruled out, with damaging wind gusts and large hail the
main hazards. Locally heavy rainfall will also be possible.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time.

Seven Day Forecast

Today
Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 9am. Sunny, with a high near 88. Light west wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight
Clear, with a low around 67. Calm wind.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Light south southeast wind.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 6 mph in the morning.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday
Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. South southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north northwest after midnight.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. North wind 6 to 8 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 6 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 79. East northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.