WEATHER ALERT DAY: Triple digit heat indices, severe storms possible Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday and Thursday are ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Alert Days as heat indices could climb to 98-100 on both days, and we'll be tracking the potential for severe storms both evenings.

SETUP:

At the top of the atmosphere, ridging (or high pressure) will allow heat and humidity to build while also introducing chances of storms nearly every day. We're unfortunately in the right spot to get a little bit of everything this week. Wednesday and Thursday will both be hot and humid, while the greatest storm chances show up on Thursday. Some overlap of dangerous heat indexes and severe storm chances may come on Wednesday.

TIMING:

We expect the similar heat on Wednesday, but as a trough of low pressure nears, storms may develop in an area of high instability across NW Missouri. If this happens, some storms may impact the northwestern half of our region.

Then, on Thursday, another area of low pressure approaches. This time, bringing a cold front and greater coverage of storms sometime late in the day and into the evening. This will likely bring another widespread chance for storms.

IMPACTS:

Dangerous heat will be the main impact on Wednesday, but if storms develop in mid-Missouri on Wednesday, a few could present a hail and damaging wind threat.

Our main concern for Thursday will be the increased chance of severe storms. Threats may include hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes, but confidence is low at this time.