Issued: 8am on Thursday, July 2nd 2026
Technical Forecast Discussion
Key Messages:
- Heat wave to continue.
- Chances for rain will impact the holiday weekend.
Key Message 1…
The upper-level ridge will continue into Friday night causing our heat wave to continue. During these last few days we will still see highs in the 90s with heat indexes in the 100s. During this time high pressure will continue to dominate our area pulling in moisture from the south and creating relatively soupy conditions.
While the ridging pattern does start to breakdown Friday night, Saturday and Sunday may also be extremely warm. While the Extreme Heat Warning is set to expire Friday night, if confidence in this continuation of heat increases, we can expect to see it be extended or turn into a simple Heat Advisory for the holiday weekend.
Key Message 2…
Not only will the heat potentially impact 4th of July celebrations but rain may impact it as well. As the upper-level ridging pattern breakdown is due to an approaching system. This has us on the lookout for isolated showers and thunderstorms that may impact celebrations. Friday we are under a marginal risk (1/5) for severe weather given our chance for isolated showers and thunderstorms. Saturday we can expect much of the same with chances for isolated showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. The chances for rain will gradually increase into Sunday as a stationary front enters from the Great Lakes. As of right now, we cannot determine if these storms on Saturday and Sunday will be severe so keep up to date with our daily forecasts as we approach the weekend.
Happy 4th of July and stay safe!
