Next week brings the return of the sizzle in summer

The brutal summer heat has been largely absent this year across Mid-Missouri.

To date, we have only seen 8 days of temperatures 90 degrees or higher.

The hottest days so far were June 5, 12, 13 and July 3 at 91 degrees.

The absence of the extreme heat has made this year rather pleasant so far compared to years past.

Last year at this point, Mid-Missouri already saw 21 days of 90-plus degrees, the warmest was June 15th at 99 degrees.

It’s a testament to just how soon summer heat can settle into Mid-Missouri, if the atmosphere supports the excessive heat.

So far this summer that hasn’t been the case for a good portion of the Midwest.

With a largely absent upper level ridge across the Midwest and northwesterly flow, the brutal heat has been kept at bay. That changes as we head into the coming days.

Beginning Sunday a well pronounced ridge from the desert Southwest will nose into Missouri.

This will bring 90-plus degrees each and every day. Add that to the moisture that will be streaming in from the open Gulf of Mexico and we’re likely to see heat indices approaching 105 through the middle of the week.

While it’s too soon to start talking about heat advisories, it is something to watch. The strength of the ridge of the coming days and just how far it advancing east will give us a better idea of just what to expect temperature wise.

It is certain that we will hit 95-plus degrees for the first time this year, for several consecutive days. There looks to be some relief from the heat as we head into next weekend, as temperatures are expected to take a dip into the upper 80s and lower 90s thanks to a cold front. Of course, that doesn’t occur until we see several days of the sizzlin’ summer heat.

Stay with ABC 17 Stormtrack weather as the heat wave unfolds and as always, follow us on Twitter @ABC17Stormtrack for the latest updates.