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Southeast Missouri Braces For Heat Wave

Lykaestria
/
Wikimedia Commons

Just when we were getting used to a cooler than expected summer, a heat wave will settle across much of the Midwest.

A large dome of high pressure will settle across the region and park here at least through the beginning of next week.

National Weather Service lead forecaster Greg Meffert says the dome builds heat underneath it, and at the same time warms the atmosphere around 10,000 to 15,000 feet.

“And that prevents thunderstorms and clouds from developing,” Meffert said. “So not only do we have the heat under these domes of high pressure, but we also have pretty sparse - if any - precipitation at all.”

Meffert expects temperatures between 94 and 97 degrees by the end of the week, with heat index values approaching 104. He says the heat won’t relent at least until next week.

“This stuff is going to build in, especially Wednesday and Thursday, and then continue all the way through the holiday weekend into next week,” Meffert said. “That’s about as far as we go right now, but it really doesn’t show a whole lot of indications of breaking down until at least next week sometime, once it gets established.”

He says people aren’t as acclimated to this level of heat so far this year, so they should take extra precautions to stay cool and drink plenty of water.