Temperatures climb to nearly 100 degrees next week

The first heat wave of the year will arrive next week, just in time for the first day of summer. The unofficial criterion for a heat wave is at least three consecutive days of 90 degrees or higher. NBC5 meteorologists are forecasting at least four days in the 90s, including a few days near 100. A high of 98 degrees Wednesday, the peak of the heat, would be the hottest in nearly 11 years. On top of that, the humidity will be at or near oppressive levels, with dew points around 70 degrees. These high dew points are part of the reason there will be very little relief, even at night. Low temperatures will reach into the 70s at least Tuesday through Thursday. “It looks like” temperatures, which combine air temperature with humidity, will be near or just above 100 degrees Tuesday through Friday. The long duration of this magnitude of heat and humidity will worsen the impacts. A cold front could approach Friday with a chance of thunderstorms, which could take some of the heat off by next weekend.