ALERT DAY Due To Heat Today… Then Chance Of Storms Tonight

Monday’s Forecast High: 95F / Tonight’s Low: 71F…

It was a steamy Sunday across the region with highs in the upper 80s to low-mid 90s. The high at the La Crosse airport was 94F… marking the 23rd day this year reaching 90F or hotter. Normally the temp hits 90F or hotter on 17 days in La Crosse during the entire year.

Steamy Sunday!

ALERT DAY today due to high heat and humidity. ALERT DAY tonight due to chance of strong to severe storms.

Today will be another hot and humid day, with highs ranging from the upper 80s to mid 90s. High humidity will cause heat indices (what it feels like) in the 95F to 105F range, prompting the NWS to issue a HEAT ADVISORY for most of the area from Noon to 9 p.m. Be sure to take it easy in the heat and drink plenty of water. Never leave pets or kids in parked cars for any length of time on hot days like this. Watch out for some fog in spots early this morning, but it should mix out by about 9 a.m. or so.

Monday Forecast

A frontal boundary will slide south into our area this evening and interact with the hot and humid air mass in place. The result will be the chance for scattered showers and t-storms, especially north and east of La Crosse.

I think this is also where the greatest chance for some strong to severe storms will be, especially along the I-94 corridor. This axis for strong storms could shift, however, so be sure to stay tuned for updates through the day and into this evening. As of this morning, the local timing for the chance of strong to severe storms will be from about 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. The main threats will be large hail and strong winds, but an isolated tornado cannot be fully ruled out. Locally heavy rain could fall with the stronger storms as well, especially if storms train over the same areas. If we do see training storms… then flooding could become a concern. Again, stay tuned and remain extra weather aware tonight!

Any showers and storms should taper early Tuesday. Otherwise, look for another steamy day with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. High humidity will cause heat indices in the mid and possibly upper 90s during peak heating of the afternoon and early evening.

Looking Ahead… The heat wave continues Wednesday with highs in the 90-95F range. High humidity could cause heat indices above 100F during the afternoon and early evening hours. A disturbance will finally break the heat wave later in the week, with highs dropping into the 80s. With it will come a chance of showers and t-storms, especially late Thursday into Friday.

As of now, the weekend looks great. It looks dry and more seasonable with highs closer to 80F… and lower humidity as well. Slight chance of showers and storms to start the following week, with highs mainly in the mid-upper 70s.

Have a good Monday, but stay cool today and stay extra weather aware tonight due to the chance of storms. -Bill Graul