Hot and sticky week ahead for Eau Claire and western Wisconsin

A warm, damp air mass is moving into Eau Claire and western Wisconsin as the weekend wraps up. Dew points—basically the air’s moisture level—have climbed into the 60s, making the air feel heavier than usual. Tonight, a warm front slides in from the south, bringing clouds and scattered downpours. A few of these storms might pack a punch with hail or strong winds, but most will be brief. It’s going to be a rare warm night with lows stuck around 70 degrees, something locals haven’t dealt with in days. Monday and Tuesday are labeled as high-alert days because the mix of near-90-degree heat and tropical-level humidity will make it feel like it’s over 100 degrees. Once the warm front shifts north Monday morning, the rain chances fade, and skies turn mostly sunny. With dew points in the low 70s, the "feels like" temperature could push 105 to 110 degrees. An extreme heat warning is already in place for much of western Wisconsin on Monday.

If you have to be outside, take it slow and drink plenty of water. Don’t forget pets—they overheat just like we do. Evenings won’t bring much relief, staying muggy with lows in the low to mid-70s. A weak cold front could spark a few storms Monday night or Tuesday, and if they fire up, damaging winds are the main concern. The rest of the week stays hot and humid but eases up slightly. Tuesday might still feel like triple digits with isolated storms. A stalled cold front near the area could mean extra clouds and scattered storms through midweek, keeping temperatures a bit lower Wednesday to Friday. If the front dips south, it could bring slightly cooler air and lower humidity. Otherwise, keep an eye on the radar for more storms. The pattern might stick around through the Fourth of July weekend before things finally start to cool off.

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