Relief for now; active, stormy pattern coming up into the weekend
The humidity has been rather low to start this week, with dew point temperatures in the upper 50s and lower 60s. High pressure at the surface has kept sunny skies and cumulus clouds in the mix on Monday too, as temperatures climb back toward the upper 80s.
Tuesday will be more of the same, with temperatures increasing slightly. We’ll see the 90s return, and it looks like they are here to stay. Winds, too, will be out of the southwest to help temperatures warm from Monday to Tuesday.
Looking ahead, temperatures are going to stall in the lower 90s off and on all week and into the weekend. Temperatures will largely depend on cloud cover each day, and storm development. Storm chances return by Wednesday, but the placement of those storms day to day will depend on the day before.
The humidity roars back by Wednesday, too. Moisture coming up from the south will mean dew point temperatures in the middle and upper 70s for the rest of the week. It’ll feel a lot more unpleasant by Thursday as dew point temperatures near 80°F.
Speaking of Thursday, the reflection of that higher humidity is seen within the forecast for our heat index the rest of the week. By Wednesday, triple digits will not be that far out of reach, and then we’ll likely see temperatures feel over 100°F by Thursday and Friday.
An active pattern is setting up past Tuesday, too. As of Monday afternoon, the Storm Prediction Center has a Slight (Level 2 of 5) risk for much of our area, including Cape Girardeau. That Slight risk meaning that scattered severe storms will be possible through much of SEMO and southern Illinois on Wednesday.
The Skeeter Meter will increase day-by-day, too, with the nicest day coming on Tuesday. By Thursday, will be close to the “Ugh” category with slightly breezy conditions and very high humidity.
As mentioned before, the active pattern means storm chances each day heading into the weekend, potentially beyond that.
Temperatures should hold steady in the lower 90s for quite some time, and storm development will depend on the ingredients that can rebound from the previous day’s activity. This week will be one to keep a close eye to the forecast.
Meteorologist Jessica Blum
FOX 23 Storm Alert Team
