Overview
- Temperatures will climb into the 80s and 90s this week while dew points rise into the upper 60s–70s, producing heat‑index readings near 100–105°F on Wednesday.
- Forecasters from the Storm Prediction Center and local NWS offices say Wednesday evening and night present the primary severe window with damaging wind, large hail and isolated tornadoes possible in parts of the Midwest, including Iowa, Kansas City and the Chicago area.
- Thunderstorm chances peak in the afternoons and evenings each day and coverage will be highly spotty so many counties may see no storms even on higher‑risk days.
- Very moist air will allow storms to drop intense short‑duration rainfall that can cause localized flash and urban flooding where storms train or stall.
- A cold front expected late this week should bring drier, cooler air and lower humidity by Friday but timing uncertainty will determine how much severe weather shifts between Wednesday and Thursday.