A drastic change is in store for Iowans that have enjoyed the unusually cool summer. Miles Schumacher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, says Iowa will likely experience some of the warmest temperatures of the summer this weekend.
The warm air is expected to move into southwest Iowa on Friday. "Then Saturday and possibly into Sunday, we’ll see temperatures getting into the middle 90s," Schumacher said. "That, combined with the humidity…we are looking at the likelihood of heat indices getting up to 105 or so. We could have some Heat Advisories in effect by Saturday."
Temperatures will likely cool off a bit early next week, but another round of hot weather is forecast by mid-August. "In a normal year, this would be no big deal. It’s like, ‘oh, it’s going to be 95 again,’ but this year…I think it’s going to surprise people when it gets that hot again," Schumacher said.
Last month was the coolest July in Iowa history, breaking a record set in 1891. The warmup this weekend could be preceded by some severe weather. A chance of thunderstorms and heavy rain is forecast statewide Thursday night into Friday.