Forecast

Record Heat Bakes Midwest; Relief Around the Corner

It's been an uncomfortable start to the week for millions of residents in the Midwest with near-record high temperatures across the region.

(WEATHER READY: Heat Safety)

However, the good news is that this heat will retreat rather quickly since cold fronts are becoming more frequent as we head towards fall.

Record Heat Recap

The record-breaking temperatures scorched parts of the Plains on Sunday. Wichita, Kan. (101), McCook, Neb. (105) and North Platte, Neb. (101) were among the cities that either tied or broke daily record highs for Sept. 8.

In Des Moines, Iowa, Monday became the latest 100-degree day on the calendar in records dating back to 1878, and tied the city's all-time September record high of 101 degrees. Their previous latest triple-digit day in a calendar year was Sept. 7 back in 1939; that day also hit 101 degrees.

Highs surged well into the 90s Monday in cities from Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago to St. Louis, Kansas City, and Omaha, Neb.

(MAP: Current Temperatures)

Tuesday brought a slew of record highs:

Indianapolis (96 degrees)
Chicago (95 degrees)
St. Louis tied its record high of 98.
Cleveland (96 degrees)
Toledo (97 degrees)
Flint (96 derees)

Although the hot temperatures will persist Wednesday from the southern Great Lakes to the central Plains, you can see the signs of changes ahead as cooler air nudges its way southward. St. Louis and Indianapolis will flirt with record highs.

(HIGHS: Wednesday | Thursday)

A Fall Feel to End the Week

By the end of the week, a strong cold front will have shoved the hot air mass out of the Midwest.

Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis may not get out of the 60s for highs on Friday and Saturday. Afternoon temperatures will be in the pleasant 70s for cities such as Des Moines, Iowa and St. Louis.

(MAP: Saturday's Highs)

Overall, high temperatures will drop 20+ degrees in many cities across the Midwest from the beginning to the end of the week.

Temperatures in the morning may have you grabbing a light jacket by the weekend, with lows dipping into the 30s, 40s and 50s.

(LOWS: Friday | Saturday)