Strong to severe storms possible with one last day of dangerous heat

Our heat wave during the end of June and beginning of July is coming to an end. Temperatures Thursday will be a bit tricky to predict. A round of morning rain dropped lows into the 60s, but now with some dry time we will see temps warm fast. Northern counties might stay a bit cooler where rain is still falling, but if we stay dry in the Milwaukee metro, temps there could still be hot. Currently, an Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect for all of Thursday until 10 PM for the potential for feels like temps to reach the 100s. 

If we stay dry, highs on Thursday could reach the low 90s. Friday has trended a bit cooler so it does look like Thursday will be the last day of dangerous heat. Highs on Friday could stay in the upper 80s then cooler weather in the upper 70s is expected for the 4th of July weekend with a lake breeze.

Even though temperatures are expected to cool down for the end of the week, humidity levels will likely stay high with tropical level dew points expected most of the upcoming weekend. So, even if it is "cooler" you are still going to sweat for Independence Day. 

If temperatures do warm into the low 90s with dew points in the mid 70s, feels like temperatures on Thursday could push close to or even above 100 degrees for many areas, making it the fourth day in a row with feels like temps in the 100s. Heat index values on Friday will be much more manageable between 90-100 and on Saturday they stay between 80-90 degrees. 

We've already seen how all of the heat and humidity this week can have an impact on strong to severe storms. We had multiple severe storms roll through Fond du Lac and Sheboygan Counties Wednesday afternoon that dropped dozens of hail reports. Some of the hail was large hail between 2" to 3" in diameter which is the size of tennis balls and baseballs. 

More severe storms are possible on Thursday. Even some of the storms in the morning could be on the stronger side. There's a pretty good indication that most of Thursday afternoon is dry, but a round of storms is likely in the evening with more scattered showers and storms Thursday night into Friday morning. 

Any storms that we see Thursday, especially in the evening, would likely be severe. Damaging wind and large hail would be the main threats with any storms but isolated tornadoes and even flash flooding will also be possible. All of southeast Wisconsin remains under a Level 2 Slight Risk for severe storms. 

Friday and Saturday still have pretty good chances for storms. Any storms that we see those days could also be strong with all of southeast Wisconsin at least in a Level 1 Marginal Risk for severe weather both days. On Friday our southern counties are under a Level 2 Slight Risk. Unfortunately, timing is a bit uncertain with storms Friday and Saturday and will heavily depend on storms the previous day. It is possible storms on July 4th will impact parades, cookouts and fireworks. 

Download the CBS 58 Weather app to track the feels like temps, the chances for storms and get alerts if any severe thunderstorm warnings or tornado warnings are issued. 

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