The Heat Is On As Holiday Weekend Approaches

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The temperatures have been mild and the air has been reasonably dry for the last few days, but summer could turn on like a light switch in the next day or two.

Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says Wednesday should bring high temperatures in the mid- to upper-80s, but a mass of warmer air will be moving in from the west.

Thursday and Friday should have high temperatures in the 90s. But that's not the whole story, as the front will also be bringing in higher humidity. The heat index for Friday could be anywhere from 100 to 105 degrees. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for the Twin Cities.

Overnight lows from Thursday going into Friday should only dip down into the mid-70s.

With the hotter air comes a chance for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms early Thursday, mostly extending north of the Twin Cities but potentially dropping into the metro area as well.

The Fourth of July weekend looks pretty smooth at this point, with warm temperatures and a chance for thunderstorms only on Sunday.