(Radio Iowa) – Summer officially arrives later this week but the heat and humidity are already settled in across Iowa. Much of the state’s northern third was under a severe thunderstorm watch this (Monday) morning, while a wide area of eastern Iowa has a heat advisory in effect until 8 o’clock tonight. Meteorologist Rod Donavon, at the National Weather Service, says it’ll be a steamy day ahead for most of the state.

Heat indices may reach triple digits in eastern Iowa, as the heat advisory covers cities including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City Dubuque, Davenport, Burlington and Keokuk. Donavon says we may have a break from the heat at mid-week, but more storms are likely by week’s end.

Summer starts on Thursday.