After a pleasant Friday with highs near 90 degrees, we're tracking a significant warm-up for the weekend and into next week. A Heat Advisory has been issued for Saturday through Tuesday for much of Southern Illinois, including Carbondale, Paducah, and Harrisburg, as the first heatwave of the season arrives.
Temperatures will climb into the low to mid-90s starting Saturday, but the real story will be the heat index. With increasing humidity, it will feel like 100 to 108 degrees each afternoon. This level of heat can be dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations. We urge everyone to take precautions, stay hydrated, and limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
While the beginning of next week will remain dry, a slight chance for afternoon showers and thunderstorms returns by Tuesday and increases into the latter half of the week. This could offer some relief from the intense heat, but the primary concern with these storms will be the potential for heavy downpours.
