At least three Iowa cities hit high temps of 99 degrees on Thursday — in Atlantic (at the airport. Here at the KJAN studios, the official weather reporting station, we topped at 93-degrees), in Perry, and in Knoxville. Forecasters say today (Friday) promises to be even hotter….in fact, they say this could be the hottest day of the year, so far. Jacob Beitlich, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, says most of Iowa will be in the mid to upper-90s today with a few 100s possible.

“With the humidity and the warm temperatures, we could see heat index readings of 105 to 110 degrees with a few isolated higher readings in eastern Iowa,” Beitlich says. “That’s just going to lead to uncomfortable conditions, potentially dangerous if you don’t take the necessary precautions of taking breaks, finding some A/C if you have to work outside and drinking plenty of fluids.”

Eddyville had an unofficial heat index on Thursday of 137 degrees. A Heat Advisory is posted for all of eastern and central Iowa through 7 P-M. Beitlich says a slight cool-off is coming. A cold front is expected later today and overnight, taking away some of the heat and humidity, bringing much of the state closer to the average July temps in the mid to upper 80s.

(Pat Powers/Ric Hanson – Radio IA)