Tracking a humid & very hot Monday

Good morning and happy Monday! We're starting off the workweek with hot conditions already this morning. Southerly wind gusts are reaching the middle to upper teens, helping pull in even warmer and more humid air.

We're currently sitting at 77 degrees in St. Joseph, with temperatures in the upper 70s area-wide. It already feels like the upper 70s to lower 80s at 3 am this morning.

Thankfully, relief is on the way. A cold front currently stretching across Nebraska will slowly push south today. That front will bring a much-needed cooldown beginning tomorrow and lasting through the middle and end of the week.

As we head through today, expect a few passing clouds this morning before temperatures climb quickly. By lunchtime, actual temperatures will be in the mid to upper 90s, with heat index values already above 100 degrees. We'll top out around 98 degrees this afternoon, making today the hottest day of the week.

The hot, humid, and sticky conditions will continue through this evening, and even after sunset, there won't be much relief. Heat index values will remain in the triple digits through much of the evening before the cold front finally moves through overnight.

A few light sprinkles are possible early Tuesday morning, but many locations will likely stay dry as drier air works in behind the front.

Today's Heat Advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Heat index values could reach 107 degrees during the hottest part of the afternoon. Even by lunchtime, many areas will already be experiencing triple-digit feels-like temperatures.

Looking ahead, we'll cool into the low 90s Tuesday, then into the middle and lower 80s by Wednesday through Friday. Rain chances increase late Thursday into Friday before we dry out again heading into next weekend.

Overall, today is the day to take the heat seriously. Stay hydrated, take frequent breaks if you're outdoors, and try to limit strenuous activity during the hottest part of the afternoon.