High heat and humidity are returning to the state following an unusually cool weekend for the July Fourth holiday.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Mindy Beerends says temperatures will climb back into the lower 90s across much of Iowa this afternoon. “We’re looking at heat index values of around 100 to 105, especially over southern and western portions of the state,” Beerends said.
A heat advisory is posted for 19 counties in central and southwest Iowa. The advisory area includes Des Moines, Audubon, Atlantic, Council Bluffs, Glenwood, Red Oak, Corning, Creston, and Lamoni.
There’s a chance for severe weather late this afternoon and evening over northern Iowa and overnight for the rest of the state. “The severe weather threats are mainly large hail or damaging wind gusts,” Beerends said. Heavy rains are also possible with the potential for flash flooding in northeast Iowa.
The warm and humid conditions are expected to linger through Thursday, with a slight cool down by the weekend. Thunderstorms are also possible Wednesday night and late Thursday.