Heat Statement

Very hot temperatures expected this weekend

  The latest weather data suggests that temperatures will soar in to the 90+ degree range starting on Friday and continuing throughout the weekend and most likely again on Monday. 


  An expanding area of high pressure in the southeast U.S. will encompass a large portion of the Midwest by Saturday. This ridge will contribute to several days of record or near record high temperatures for this time of the year. Also, low temperatures during this period are expected to remain in the 70's. 


  The records for St. Louis for this period in May are as follows:

Heat builds by late next week

  The latest medium to long range models are indicating that the next western trough will have a difficult time advancing in to the middle of the U.S. as a strong high pressure ridge takes hold over the southeastern U.S. by Thursday and Friday. This dome of  high pressure will enlarge and expand in to the Midwest by late next weekend.

   Substantial 500 MB height rises are indicating that surface temperatures in the upper 80's to mid 90's will be possible throughout a large potion of the Midwest. This pattern looks likely to sustain through next weekend and at least the early part of the last week of May.