Illinois Getting a Dose of Significant Summer Temps This Week

BY JIM TAYLOR FARMWEEK

The hottest stretch of the summer is upon us in Illinois.

“It’s going to be the hottest and most humid by far,” said Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford during a Tuesday visit with RFD Radio. “We’ve had this heat dome out in Texas and southwest and it stayed there throughout June and the majority of July, but now it’s starting to open up.”

And that heat is now spreading east and impacting Illinois.

Temperatures will be in the 90s through Saturday in most parts of the state.

“High temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees above normal and in some cases more,” Ford said. “And for the first time in Illinois, outside of southern Illinois, we’re going to get the heat, plus humidity.”

Dew points are expected to rise into the 70s this week. In addition to the heat, there are some opportunities for pop-up showers.

“The humidity is terrible to work in, but what it does do is provide energy and moisture for storms,” he said. “As that ridge is expected to close up again and move back to the west later on this week, there will be increasing chances for pop-up thunderstorms.”