Dangerous heat arrives this weekend

FRIDAY FORECAST

Skies are giving off a hazy appearance early Friday due to Canadian wildfire smoke. Most of the smoke is above our heads, but a little bit of it is close to ground level. Fortunately, the smoke will push out of the area by Friday afternoon. I do not expect any air quality concerns for the second half of the day.

Winds will return out of the south on Friday. It will be breezy at times, with wind speeds upwards of 25 mph during the afternoon. We’ll be warmer, too. We expect high temperatures in the upper-80s to low-90s across the Lincoln area.

It will be much warmer in western Nebraska on Friday afternoon, where 100°+ highs are possible. There will also be more humidity in central/western Nebraska. Heat indices may reach up to 105° where the heat and humidity overlap, requiring a Heat Advisory in those areas.

In fact, there’s even a spotty shower chance in the Panhandle late Friday afternoon and evening. That moisture does not make it east. We’ll be dry in Lincoln on Friday night.

DANGEROUS HEAT BEGINS

An Excessive Heat Watch is in place for all the maroon-shaded counties in central and eastern Nebraska. This is in effect from Saturday through next Wednesday – a five-day stretch. I would be shocked if this was not upgraded to an Excessive Heat Warning (or Heat Advisory at the very least) at some point.

Triple-digit heat will be possible for several days, and many record highs are in jeopardy as a result. The heat comes with humidity as well. On Saturday alone, the heat index could push 110°.

This is not your typical summertime heat, this kind of heat is excessive. If you’re not careful, it could cause you some issues. Please know the signs of heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and is life-threatening.

Heat is the #1 weather-related killer, and that’s because the signs of heat illness are so easy to ignore. Drinking water, knowing the signs of heat illness, and staying cool will be important over the next week or so!

Meteorologist Malcolm Byron

Facebook: /mbyronwx

Twitter: @mbyronwx