Storm Team 4

103 degrees Thursday ties 3rd hottest high in past 140 years, says Malan

CREATED Jul. 5, 2012 - UPDATED: Jul. 5, 2012

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  • TODAY: Sunny, very hot, and very humid. High: 100...becoming cooler along the lake Video by 620wtmj.com

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  • TODAY: Sunny, very hot, and very humid High: 103...becoming cooler along the lake Video by 620wtmj.com

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10:15 p.m.

Thursday's historic heat wave was felt across the Badger State as southeast Wisconsin was under an Extreme Heat Advisory while heat indices reached heights of 114 degrees.

According to Storm Team 4Caster John Malan, Horicon had a heat index of 114 degrees, while Grafton reached 111 as their heat index; Sheboygan, Lake Geneva and Eagle reported 108 degrees or warmer as their heat index.

The National Weather Service reports that the high temperature on July 5 at General Mitchell International Airport was 103 degrees and that smashed the previous record of 96 degrees set in 1911.

Additionally, the last time before July 2012 that Milwaukee hit 100 degrees or higher was nearly 17 years ago on July 13, 1995 when the heat reached 103 degrees.  The 103 reading from July 5 is tied for the 3rd hottest high temperature.  Wednesday's 102 degree high was the 6th warmest temperature in the past 140 years.

John Malan's latest Storm Team Forecast:

FRIDAY:    Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, very hot and humid
        High:  93
        Wind: NE-SE 5-10 mph

FRI NIGHT:    Mostly clear to partly cloudy and warm
        Low:   71
        Wind:  NE 5-10mph

SATURDAY:    Partly cloudy and seasonal with isolates showers
        High:   81 Lakefront...86 Waukesha
        Wind:  NE 10-15

SUNDAY:  
  Mostly sunny, cooler and less humid
        High:   77 Lakefront...82 Waukesha
        Wind:  NE 5-10 mph
 

5:20 p.m.

Storm Team 4Caster John Malan reports that Mitchell International Airport recorded a high of 103 degrees Thursday -- a July 5 record.

Malan said in the last 140 years, there has been: "one 105-degree day, one 104 degree-day and Thursday is the third 103-degree day (in Milwaukee.)"

Meantime, Madison broke a July 5 record with temperatures reaching 103 degrees as well.

He said dew points were in the mid 60s throughout southeast Wisconsin.

There was a Summerfest breeze along the lake, but numerous parts of southeast Wisconsin reported heat indices over 100 degrees -- including Fond du Lac at 107 degrees.

Some positive news for people in the southern part of the state, said Malan.  A couple showers developed along I-94 near Racine, and those have moved into Kenosha County.

Malan projects Friday's highs to reach 101 degrees in Madison and 93 degrees in Milwaukee.
 

9:20 a.m.
Storm Team 4Caster Scott Steele explains more about both why we've experienced triple-digit temperatures and horrible humidity, and when this heat wave will finally end in Milwaukee.

"On the upper levels of the atmosphere, there's a ridge of high pressure that has allowed all this humidity to seep northward to our region," said Scott. 

"It looks as though that will finally start to flatten out in time for Saturday and Sunday.  The heat recedes farther to the south.  We'll have more normal readings, which puts our highs at about 80 degrees."

Until then, he explains that highs will top 100 degrees in our area.

"Some locations will approach the all-time record for Milwaukee, which is 105 degrees."

That's a record set back in 1934.

It's not just the heat, but that aforementioned humidity that has brought about the excessive heat warning for all of Southeastern Wisconsin until 10:00 p.m. Friday night.

"The dew points dropped a little bit in the overnight hours, but they popped right back up.  Dew points around Southeastern Wisconsin are approaching 70 degrees, which is uncomfortable for the entire population.  The combination of humidity, dew points and temperatures will lead to heat indices between 105 and 110 degrees across the region."

4:49 a.m.
The heat in Southeastern Wisconsin continues to be oppressive on Thursday, with the forecasted temperature expected to come close to Milwaukee's all-time record hottest reading.

"It looks as it we're going to see another record-setting day of heat," said Storm Team 4Caster Scott Steele.

"I expect today will be the worst of this extended heat wave."

The entire region of Southeastern Wisconsin is under an excessive heat warning until 10:00 p.m. Friday night.

"Look for a repeat performance of the incredibly hot and humid conditions we've suffered through all week long.  Yesterday's triple digit, record setting readings will be repeated throughout Southeast Wisconsin, even in our eastern counties as the lake breeze will have minimal impact and really not start until too late in the day."

Scott also warns us that the heat index readings should reach levels of around 105-110.

"Dew points will climb to near 70 degrees."

Friday will bring a slight cool-down, depending upon your perspective.  Highs will drop into the mid 90's.

"The ridge which has allowed this record heat to reach the upper Midwest and Great Lakes will eventually flatten and lead to some relief with more seasonal reading for the weekend."

Thursday's Storm Team 4Cast from Scott Steele:

Today: Sunny, very hot, and very muggy
High:  Near 102
(Record 96° IN 1911...All-time record high 105° on JULY 24, 1934)
Wind: WSW 5-10 mph

Tonight: Mainly clear, very warm, and very muggy
Low:  Near 78
Wind:  Light

Friday: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy, very hot, and still muggy
High:  Near 95
Wind: NE-SE 3-8 mph

Friday night: Mainly clear to partly cloudy and warm
Low:  Near 71
Wind:  NE 3-8 mph

Saturday: Partly cloudy and seasonal
High:  Near 83