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Extreme Heat and Strong Storms

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

It is going to be a brutally hot and humid day. A Heat Advisory is in effect for today across much of central and southern South Dakota. In Sioux Falls, high temps will reach the mid 90s with the heat index approaching 105 degrees through much of the afternoon. Across Central South Dakota, it will not be as humid but actual temperatures will soar to between 105 and 110 degrees.

Our other concern with today’s weather is the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms late today and tonight. Thunderstorms will develop across central and northern South Dakota late this afternoon and move southeastward through the evening and overnight. Storms could be severe with the main threats being large hail and damaging straight-line wind, however, a tornado is also possible. In addition to severe weather, there could also be areas of heavy rain. One-quarter to one-half inch or more of rain will be possible with any storms that develop.  

As of right now, I think storms will develop across central and northern South Dakota late this afternoon into early evening and move southeast into Sioux Falls by mid to late evening. The timing could change a bit, stay with us for updates throughout the day.

 

TODAY
Mostly sunny, hot and humid. High: 94° with the heat index approaching 105°. Wind: Southeast 10-20 mph.

TONIGHT
Thunderstorms likely. Some could be severe with heavy rain. Low: 70°. Wind: Southeast 5-10 mph.

TOMORROW
Partly cloudy, warm and humid with scattered storms. High: 90°. Wind: East 5-15 mph.

Warm and Humid with Scattered Storms

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Today will be cooler than yesterday, but it will still be hot and humid. A front will continue to push across South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa today and that will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms later today into tonight. Some storms could be severe with large hail and damaging straight-line wind gusts being the main threats. In addition to the possibility of severe weather, storms could bring heavy rainfall amounts of one-quarter to one-half inch or more.

Our weather pattern will continue to be active through the rest of the week with scattered thunderstorms possible tomorrow night, Thursday and again Friday. The heat and humidity will stick around too, with highs in the upper 80s and dew point temperatures in the 70s. That means the heat index will be well into the 90s through the week.

While there could be an isolated thunderstorm or two this weekend, it should be mostly sunny and humid. High temps will reach the upper 80s Saturday, mid 80s on Sunday.

TODAY:
Partly cloudy, warm and humid with scattered thunderstorms. Some storms could be severe, hail and wind will be the main threats. High: 87°. Wind South becoming east 5-15 mph.

TONIGHT:
Scattered evening thunderstorms, then partly cloudy. Low: 67°. Wind: East 5-10 mph.

TOMORROW: 
Mostly sunny, hot and humid with scattered late day and nighttime thunderstorms. High: 89°. Wind: Southeast 5-15 mph.

Latest severe weather outlook from the Storm Prediction Center

Extreme Heat, Scattered Storms Today

Monday, July 17, 2017

Get ready for another day of extreme heat. Today will be mostly sunny with high temperatures ranging from around 95 in Sioux Falls to the low 100s across northeastern South Dakota and in places along and west of the James River. It will be rather humid in the east. So while Sioux Falls’ actual temperature will be a bit cooler than it is in central and northern South Dakota, the heat index will be right up there at around 100 degrees this afternoon.

A cold front will slide across the Dakotas and into Minnesota and Iowa over the next couple of days. That front will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms to central and northern South Dakota late this afternoon and evening, and to the Sioux Falls area late tonight and again tomorrow. While tomorrow will be a bit cooler than today, it will still be very humid.

A few storms could be strong to severe later today, tonight and again tomorrow. Large hail and damaging straight line wind gusts will be the main threat, however, a tornado is also possible.

Warm, humid weather will continue through most of the week with scattered thunderstorms possible just about every day through Friday. The weekend will be partly cloudy and humid with highs in the mid to upper 80s.

TODAY:
Sunny, hot and humid. High: 95°. Wind: South 10-20 mph.

TONIGHT:
Partly cloudy this evening, scattered thunderstorms are possible after midnight. Low: 72°. Wind: south 5-15 mph.

TOMORROW
Partly cloudy and cooler but still humid. Scattered thunderstorms are likely and some could be severe. High: 87°. Wind: South becoming Northeast 5-15 mph.

WEDNESDAY:
Partly cloudy with an isolated afternoon thunderstorm possible. High: 90°. Wind: Southeast 5-15 mph.

Today’s Severe Weather Outlook from the SPC

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