Heat wave continues with near record highs Tuesday and Wednesday
Afternoon update:
I've been monitoring the 5-minute observations from Mitchell airport... one observation already reached 97 degrees! But those come in with some rounding so officially the high SO FAR today in Milwaukee has reached 96, just like yesterday. We haven't felt a hotter day since August 23rd of 2023 at 101 degrees. Speaking of triple-digit heat, Milwaukee generally experiences temperatures reaching that level just once a decade. It was quite unusual for us to have back-to-back years reaching that mark in 2022 and 2023.
Here's a look at the 1pm temperature and heat index value across our area.
The second heat wave of the year is in full swing. High temperatures on Monday were the hottest temps of the year in some locations. We saw widespread 90s for highs and Milwaukee was the warmest with a high of 96.
In Milwaukee it wasn't just the hottest of the year, but the hottest over the last few years. The last time the high temperatures was 96 degrees or warmer was back in August of 2023 which was also the last time we saw high temperatures in the 100s.
We could get close to 100 degrees for a high temperature on Tuesday. The current forecast high is 99 degrees. The record high for Tuesday's date is 102 set back in 1995 so we could get close. Wednesday might be our most attainable record high this week at 96 degrees set in 1931 and the current forecast of 94 could get close. Thursday the record surges back to 100 set in the late 1800s.
The humidity level will increase Tuesday and Wednesday with dew points hovering around 70 making it feel more sticky and humid than it did on Monday. The dew point will drop a bit into the mid 60s for Thursday.
The combination of highs already close to 100 on Tuesday plus dew points around 70 with push feels like temps well into the 100s. Some isolated communities could get close to 110 for feels like temps increasing the risk for heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Because of the heat for Tuesday a Heat Advisory starts at noon on Tuesday and lasts the rest of the day and most of Wednesday until 8 PM. Feels like temps both days will likely get over 100.
Feels like temperatures on Wednesday will stay high between 95-105 leading to another day with the heat advisory. Thursday will see feel like temps closer to what we had on Monday from 90-100 degrees.
Download the CBS 58 Weather app to track the heat and humidity and any further heat alerts.