Heat, wildfire smoke and storms could all return this weekend
We've enjoyed a couple of days this week with cooler temps and low humidity, but that will change as we head into the weekend. We still have one more below average day to enjoy with highs on Friday staying in the upper 70s then we start to feel the warmth on Saturday in the 80s and it gets hot by Sunday and Monday in the low 90s and still very warm next Tuesday.
Humidity will stay low again for Friday in the comfy category, but dew points increase fast for Saturday with very muggy conditions returning. Even more humidity will move our way for the start of next week with dew points in the 70s reaching the tropical category at least Sunday and Monday.
The combination of rising temps and higher humidity levels, means we will be talking about heat index values once again. The heat should still be manageable for Saturday with feels like temps peaking between 85 to 95 degrees but more heat is on the way Sunday and Monday with feels like temps potentially getting over 100 degrees in some areas. The National Weather Service is already considering a Heat Advisory for both of those days.
In addition to the heat, some wildfire smoke may return to the state for the weekend. There are some indications we see smoke in northern Wisconsin by Friday evening then moving into the southern part of the state for Saturday. If that happens, it could linger through the beginning of next week. But some of the smoke might stay elevated bringing us some haze but not as many concerns with air quality.
Rain has been very hard to come by this July and currently we are on track to be the driest July on record. We do have a few light chances for rain over the next few days. An isolated shower is not out of the question for Saturday and even a strong storm in the evening. Sunday has slightly better rain chances for scattered showers and storms, especially in the afternoon. If storms happen, which is a big question mark, they would likely be strong to severe. Sunday and Monday are already under a Level 2 Slight Risk for severe weather. But don't bank on any good rainfall, at least not yet.
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