Above average heat grips the Midwest

With an ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Alert Day issued for both Monday and Tuesday due to dangerously high heat indices, many people across the region have felt caught off guard.

Highs have reached into the mid-90s with the heat index surpassing the triple digit threshold this afternoon. This puts as well above average considering our average high falls closer to the mid-80s.

This is caused by the location of a high pressure ridge. Winds in the upper levels originate out of the southwest from a warmer region filtering into the Midwest.

Winds in the lower levels typically carry moisture in the low-level jet stream. This is shown in the graph above which shows a large moisture source from the Gulf of Mexico being pulled into the lower level jet stream and carried towards Mid-Missouri.

High temperatures across the Midwest remain well-above average while the west coast is eeing cooler than average temperatures.

Mid-Missouri is seeing increased dew points leading to the surge in the heat index.