Heat Wave Intensifies, Slight Chance of Storms in the Forecast

A heat wave enveloping much of the Midwest will intensify today, with excessive heat and humidity expected to push the heat index into the upper 90s. And that's the good news. Tomorrow's high temperature is expected to flirt with triple digits and the heat index could reach 105 degrees.

The National Weather Service in Detroit has issued a heat advisory, air quality alert, hazardous weather watch and an extreme heat watch.

"Southwesterly winds will not only pump hot temperatures into the region, but a very humid tropical airmass is also forecasted," meteorologists said in the heat advisory. "Consecutive days of high heat and humidity with limited relief at night are expected to bring dangerous conditions for residents of southeastern Michigan.

"The heat wave this week is expected to be the longest duration of hot and humid conditions since July 1995."

An excessive heat watch remains in effect Wednesday morning through Thursday evening.

A chance of thunderstorms is in the forecast Thursday night and Friday as a weak frontal boundary sinks south into the region. Storms will be possible again Sunday in advance of the next stronger cold front.

National Weather Service extended forecast

Today: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 103, and a south wind between 3 and 11 mph. Partly cloudy with a low around 79 tonight.

Thursday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. West southwest wind between 7 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms and a low around 79 tonight.

Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 95. A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74 at night.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.Partly cloudy, with a low around 73 at night.

Sunday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 94. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Possible thunderstorms and mostly cloudy with a low around 72 at night.