WILLMAR — The first major heat wave of the summer is bringing dangerous temperatures to most of Minnesota, with some west central counties and the Twin Cities area expecting triple digits before a slight moderation of the weather comes through later in the week.
Madison, in Lac qui Parle County, hit 100 degrees around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, and the National Weather Service expected those temperatures to keep heading east as the day wore on.
Lac qui Parle, Swift, Chippewa, Yellow Medicine and Stevens counties, along with the Twin Cities metro area, are under an excessive heat warning until 1 a.m. Tuesday. Residents can expect dangerous conditions with heat index values reaching around 106 Monday afternoon.
The rest of the state remains in a heat advisory until 1 a.m. Tuesday. Monday's conditions could see heat index values in the high 90s and up to 105.
There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms, between 7 p.m. Monday and 4 a.m. Tuesday. Some could end up being severe with high winds and large hail as the main risk.
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The heat and high humidity can cause heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, to occur. NWS is urging people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air conditioned rooms if possible, stay out of the sun and check on the conditions of family and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances, NWS said.
If one must work outside, they should be aware of the signs of heat illness and what to do. It is best to work outside in the early morning or evening hours, NWS said.
The weather for the rest of the week remains hot with temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s. The forecast is also showing mostly sunny skies throughout the week with some chances of storms from Thursday night through Sunday.
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