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The heat returns to Wisconsin, with temperatures in the 30s

Vaseline August 26, 2024

While some people are preparing for a new school year, summer isn’t over yet. Not by a long shot.

After a partly sunny Saturday, with temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s, a few storms are possible Saturday night and Sunday morning. Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s by Sunday, with high humidity, the National Weather Service said.

Temperatures will reach the 90s again on Monday. Expect low 90s in the Milwaukee area and mid 90s further inland in Waukesha and Jefferson Counties.

Will the temperature feel like it’s 32 degrees?

It won’t necessarily feel like 90 degrees. According to JJ Wood, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, some places will feel much warmer.

He said the heat index (how the weather feels when humidity is taken into account) inland will feel like it is around 38 degrees.

“It’s going to feel like it’s 100 to 105 degrees in Waukesha,” he said. He added that the Milwaukee area will feel a little cooler, somewhere in the mid 90s.

Will temperatures break records?

While it will be hot and humid, no records will be broken, Wood said.

The record for highest temperature on August 26 was 96 degrees in 1953 near Milwaukee; the record for August 27 is 99 degrees, set in 1973.

How long will this weather last?

Not for much longer. According to the National Weather Service, a “weak, cold front” will soon bring temperatures back to a more comfortable level. Wednesday’s temperatures are expected to range from 79 to 85 degrees with partly sunny skies.

How can I protect myself from the hot weather?

Exposure to extreme heat can cause illness and death. Follow these safety tips from the Milwaukee Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Limit physical activity in the heat
Do not leave children or pets in a parked car. Temperatures can become life-threatening within minutes
Wear light-colored, loose and lightweight clothing
Do not rely on fans as primary cooling equipment
Drink plenty of water and avoid drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, which can accelerate the effects of heat.
Go to a cool place, such as a library or a senior center in the Milwaukee area.

More: It’s sweet corn season. Here are a few stalls to visit in the Milwaukee suburbs.

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Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or [email protected].