Heat Dome Is Going To Make Things Brutal In Iowa & Illinois

We've been hearing about this heat dome over the southern part of the U.S. for the past couple of months. That heat dome is going to expand in the central U.S. this weekend and into next week making things very hot in Iowa and Illinois.

Some areas in the Midwest could see record highs that haven't been broken in years. No matter where you are next week, things are going to get hot and dangerous outside.

Heat Dome Expanding To Iowa & Illinois

Our partners with the KWQC First Alert Weather Team say starting this weekend and into next week, it's going to be pretty hot outside.

The National Weather Service of the Quad Cities has issued an Excessive Heat Watch beginning Sunday at 1 p.m. and ending at 10 p.m. on Monday. The First Alert Weather Team says heat index values will be between 100° and 110°, if not higher.

The Excessive Heat Watch is in effect for most of the Quad Cities area and no one would be surprised if it got upgraded to an Excessive Heat Warning or Heat Advisory.

The reason we're about to get so much heat is because of this long-lasting Heat Dome we keep hearing about in the southern portion of the U.S.

What Is A Heat Dome?

It sounds scary and hot because it is. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says this is why a heat dome is formed:

"This happens when strong, high-pressure atmospheric conditions combine with influences from La Niña, creating vast areas of sweltering heat that gets trapped under the high-pressure "dome.""

Basically, it's heat in the atmosphere stuck in a dome. Well, that dome is expanding our way which will get our highs into the mid to upper-90s next week.

Staying Safe During Extreme Heat In The Quad Cities

We've given you tips to stay safe during extreme heat from the American Red Cross. Follow these tips below so you stay safe as the outside gets dangerously hot:

1. Drink your water. The Red Cross recommends avoiding caffeine and alcohol but that's not realistic for everyone so just make sure you balance it all out with water.
2. Check on family, neighbors, and friends who don't have air conditioning and/or live alone.
3. If you don't have air conditioning, spend time in public places that do during the hottest part of the day. That includes the library, malls, theaters, etc.
4. Avoid extreme temperature changes. Don't go from a really, really cold place straight out into the heat.
5. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Dark colors absorb the sun's rays.
6. Stay indoors and avoid hard workouts
7. Postpone outdoor games and activities.
8. If you have to work outdoors, tag-team with someone so you can switch off taking breaks.
9. Make sure your animals have plenty of cool water and shade.

If you feel you've been in the heat too long and start to feel these symptoms of heat exhaustion or stroke, take the following steps from the National Weather Service to get the proper care immediately.

The Weekend & Next Week's Forecast

Here is what the National Weather Service of the Quad Cities is predicting for us each day starting on Saturday through Thursday: