Metro-east could see record-breaking heat next week. Here’s the latest forecast

Ready for summer? If not, buckle up, because it’s about to arrive with a vengeance.

After highs of 76 on Friday and 83 on Saturday, the heat literally will turn up starting with a high of 89 on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service of St. Louis.

After that, projected highs soar to 95 on Monday, 99 on Tuesday and 97 on Wednesday. According to Matt Beitscher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service of St. Louis, the area’s record high for June 14 is 97 degrees — which is Tuesday.

“For the weekend, it’s not too looking too bad,” he said. “The humidity will be on the rise Sunday and once we get into Monday, temperatures will jump into mid-90s. By Tuesday is when we expect the hottest temperatures of the week — upper 90s possibly, hitting triple digits. These will be near record breaking- or record breaking-temperatures in the St. Louis area.”

Beitscher added high humidity will cause the heat index to be around 100 degrees.

“That heat might linger into Wednesday possibly into Thursday, with temperatures still in the mid-90s, which is considerably hot for this time of year,” he said. “With the first substantial heat spell, we ask people to take it easy, stay hydrated, stay inside if they can — especially those who are susceptible to the heat such as the elderly, people with breathing issues or medically-compromised folks.”

According to the National Weather Service website, the record high for June in the St. Louis area is 108 degrees — reached in 2012. As recently as 2021, the metro-east saw 101 degree temperatures in June.

In response to the heat, the weather service issued this tweet: “Next week is looking HOT! We’ll be challenging record highs early in the week with moderate humidity making it feel even hotter. And it’s looking increasingly likely that this heat will stick around for a while, too ...”

Avoid deadly tragedy

With temperatures reaching potentially deadly highs, Beitscher offered several additional safety tips to the ones above. First and foremost, he urgently warned people not to leave children or pets in cars — especially without running air conditioning.

According to the National Safety Council, on average, 38 children under the age of 15 die each year from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle. Nearly every state has experienced at least one death since 1998. In both 2018 and 2019 a record number of 53 children died after being left in a hot vehicle, the website noted.

According to PETA’s website, 11 heat-related pet deaths occurred in 2022.

“This happens every year, but do not put children or pets in cars when it is hot and there is no air-conditioning running,” Beitscher said. “It can be deadly in just a couple minutes. People need to take their kids (or pets) with them if they get out of the car. Every year we deal with this and run into this issue and children (and pets) end up passing away because of it.”

Additional safety tips

Meanwhile, for people who must be outside, Breitscher said to drink plenty of water and dress in loose-fitting clothing that is comfortable for warmer weather.

“If people are susceptible to heat related illnesses or if they’re elderly or have breathing issues, they should limit their time outdoors and try to stay in the AC as much as possible,” he said.

Beitscher also recommended people follow the National Weather Service on social media, Twitter, Facebook, etc., and to go to www.weather.gov for updates.

“First and foremost people should stay aware of forecast for that day,” he said. “The forecast is updated at least twice daily and sometimes more than that.”

What’s the rest of summer look like?

The sweltering conditions apparently will not end next week. According to AccuWeather’s extended forecast, temperatures will stay at 90 degrees or above through the rest of June. Additionally, Beitscher said the Climate Prediction Center forecasts above normal temperatures for the region in the days following next week’s heat have.

“How warm will the temperatures stay? I’m not sure,” Beitscher said. “But it’s looking like they’ll stay above normal for the next several days following that.”

According to Beitscher, the metro-east’s normal average temperatures for June are the mid-80s; for July, the upper 80s to low 90s; and for August, the upper 80s. Looking ahead, Beitscher said the Climate Prediction Center forecasts above normal temperatures the rest of the summer.

“The three-month outlook looks like the chances are roughly a 40- to-50% chance of above normal temperatures from June through August,” he said. “There’s an equal chance of equal and below average precipitation. So we’re expected to have roughly normal precipitation with slightly above normal temperatures.”

As Beitscher noted, the National Weather Service recommends keeping plugged into the forecast as it develops at www.weather.gov. Their Facebook page is www.facebook.com/NWSStLouis.

This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 1:19 PM.