Heat Wave on the Way for Much of the Central U.S.

A heat wave is building across the central portions of the U.S. this week, just in time to celebrate the summer solstice on Friday. Here is a look at the sizzling forecast and how warm you should expect it to get in the days ahead.

Heat Wave Bearing Down on Parts of the Central U.S.

The upcoming heat wave is happening at the time of the year when the sun is at its highest in the sky, meaning that it is also the strongest. The intense sunshine will make the air temperatures feel even warmer, creating the possibility of dangerous conditions for vulnerable populations.

Forecasters are warning that this will be the hottest weather of the season thus far. You can expect widespread highs in the 90s with some areas cracking the 100-degree barrier in the zone from the Rockies and to the Mississippi Valley.

The warmth will begin to build on Monday before pulling back on Tuesday. However, the respite from the heat will not last long. Temperatures will begin to climb again on Wednesday and through the end of the week and into the weekend.

The increase in temperatures beginning the middle of the week will come as high pressure builds over the nation's heartland. The jet stream will lift to the north later in the week, helping to keep the smoke from the Canadian wildfires to the north.

This jet stream movement will also make it more difficult for thunderstorms to come to life. The lack of cooling thunderstorms will exacerbate the building heat. The long-range forecast is calling for the current shower and storm activity to lessen in an area from the Rockies and to the Plains by the middle of the week. Until then, daily storms could roam the region.

When looking at averages, temperatures are expected to surge as high as 20 degrees over the norm for the middle of June. The highest readings are on tap for the end of the work week and into the weekend. The mercury will begin to cool as the weekend wraps up and the new week begins. This heat will be felt along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and to the east in the High Plains and portions of the Mississippi Valley.

The heat will pair with high humidity levels to create life-threatening conditions. Those with preexisting health issues should take special care to stay hydrated and to avoid spending time outside during the peak afternoon heating hours. The first day of the astronomical summer is Friday, June 20. This is the date in which the sun's rays are the most intense.

When taking humidity levels and sunshine into account, several areas will see real feel readings soar into the triple digits. Isolated areas in the central U.S. could see real feel readings reach 110 degrees during this heat wave.

What to Expect in the Days Ahead

The extreme heat will catch some residents off guard. For instance, St. Louis has not seen readings in the 90s yet this year. However, that will all change this week when the temperatures inch up into the mid 90s as the heat creeps into the Mississippi Valley. Like the rest of the region, readings will steadily climb as the week marches on, culminating with a steamy Saturday and Sunday.

Chicago has sniffed the 90s a few times this spring, but the heat did not last long. The Windy City is now looking at its longest stretch of days with readings at this threshold. Forecasters are predicting that the city will beat its previous season high temperatures of 94 degrees, set back on May 15.

The forecast in Chicago is calling for highs of about 85 degrees on Tuesday under partly cloudy skies. Temperatures will slide briefly on Wednesday, maxing out in the mid 70s. The cooler readings will be aided by the development of rain showers in the morning and thunderstorms in the afternoon. It will also be a breezy day, with winds out of the south-southeast at 10 to 20 mph.

Sunny skies on Thursday and Friday will push the readings up into the low 80s. Temperatures in the low 90s will be the story for the weekend in Chicago, beckoning residents out to the lake. Skies will be mostly sunny during this time, while winds will clock in between 10 and 20 mph to provide a bit of a breeze to take the edge off of the heat.

As noted earlier, Denver will see a mini burst of heat on Monday, with top readings in the low 90s. Clouds will begin to build during the afternoon, with winds clocking in at 10 to 15 mph from the northeast.

Tuesday's forecast in Denver is predicting cooler readings, with a high of just 76 degrees. Scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon will work to trim the heat. Mother Nature will crank up the thermostat beginning on Wednesday, with highs in the upper 80s on tap. The mercury will steadily climb in the Mile High City, resulting in highs in the upper 90s on Thursday and 103 degrees on Friday. After another day in the low 100s on Saturday, the thermometer will throttle back a bit on Sunday, with a forecast high of 93 degrees.

The real relief from the heat in Denver will come next Monday, with a forecast high of just 76 degrees. Skies will remain mostly sunny during the heat wave, amplifying the heat. To put these temperatures in perspective, the historical average highs for Denver in the middle June bounce around in the upper 80s.

Like the rest of the region, Omaha will see unseasonably warm temperatures on Monday pull back on Tuesday before starting the upward trajectory on Thursday. The largest city in Nebraska is forecast to see readings in the upper 70s and low 80s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Afternoon thunderstorms and rain showers will be the story later on Tuesday and into Wednesday morning before the drier weather pattern takes hold.

How toasty will it get in Omaha? The forecast is calling for highs in the low 90s on Thursday, climbing into the mid 90s on Friday and Saturday. While skies will be sunny, winds could cause minor issues. For instance, Friday's forecast includes winds out of the south at 20 to 30 mph in Omaha. After easing slightly on Saturday, wind speeds could hit the 30 mph mark again on Sunday.

We will continue to keep tabs on the evolving heat wave as it moves from the central U.S. and to the east.

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