Heat wave on for Tuesday, but relief may be on the way

Hoosiers can expect slightly cooler temperatures this week following a heat wave that caused Indianapolis officials to enact emergency preparedness plans as temperatures climbed into the 90s.

Indiana was included in a series of heat advisories Monday that stretched from eastern Kansas to western Ohio and into the Michigan’s lower peninsula. Temperatures in Indianapolis climbed to just over 90 degrees, and the heat index — the “feels like” temperature — rose to at least 100 degrees.

Although summer doesn’t technically start until Thursday, this kind of heat in June isn’t necessarily taking meteorologists by surprise.

“This is not completely uncommon,” said Tara Dudzik, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “We had a large ridge of high pressure over the area for several days.”

Monday’s temperatures fell short of the record high of 96 degrees, recorded on June 18 of 1994, 1962 and 1888, according to the NWS. Tuesday’s record high is 97 degrees, recorded in 1953.

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During a heat advisory, hot temperatures and high humidity combine to make heat-related illnesses possible.

City officials took steps to protect residents from the heat, including the activation of Indianapolis’ emergency “extreme heat plan.” Residents could access temporary shelters and cooling centers across the city, and park facilities and community centers saw extended hours of operation.

Although the heat advisory ended Monday evening, the heat is expected to persist Tuesday as temperatures rise to 92 degrees, with an expected heat index of 98 degrees in the Indianapolis area. Other areas of the state could continue to see heat indices of 100 or more.  

Central Indiana can look forward to a brief reprieve from the sweltering temperatures later this week as a pair of cold fronts introduce chances of rain and thunderstorms.

“Cold front should come through Tuesday night into Wednesday, and then it’s going to stall kind of across the area,” Dudzik said. “(It’s) going to create some unsettled weather here for the next few days, but by Wednesday, high temperatures will drop down to the high 80s.”

Temperatures will begin to fall Tuesday evening as the low dips to 72 degrees, according to the NWS forecast. Wednesday’s high is expected to hit 86 degrees, with a 60 percent chance of storms after 2 p.m. 

Thursday’s high is expected to reach only 80 degrees, Dudzik said.

“(Tuesday) will be the last real hot day,” she said. “At least through the extended.”

Despite the heat wave, Indiana is near the middle of the 50 states when it comes to the hottest average temperature in the summer.

The folks at 24/7WallStreet.com sorted through National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data to make their rankings.

Indiana lands as a reasonable No. 21 with an average summer temperature of 72.4. That's way too comfortable for an Indiana summer, right?

Texas was No. 1 at 81.3 degrees.

Stay cool

The following is a list of places in Indianapolis that offered options for residents to beat the heat:

COMMUNITY CENTERS

Concord Center – 1310 S. Meridian St.

Flanner House – 2424 Dr. MLK Blvd.

George T. Goodwin Center – 3935 Mooresville Road.

John Boner – 2236 E. 10th St.

Martin Luther King – 40 W. 40th.

Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center – 1920 W. Morris St.

Southeast MSC – 901 Shelby St.

SPRAY GROUNDS

Andrew Ramsey Park – 310 W 42nd St.

Arsenal Park – 1400 E 46th St.

Broadway Park & 61st – 6051 N. Broadway St.

Bowman Park – 3600 Auburn Road

Centennial & Groff Park – 2300 N Centennial Ave.

Christian Park – 1200 English Ave.

Haughville Park – 500 Belleview Place.

Municipal Gardens – 1831 Lafayette Road.

Windsor Village Park – 2501 N Kenyon St.

For information on heat weather safety, visit the National Weather Service's website at nws.noaa.gov. 

Call Pulliam Fellow Megan Henry at (317) 444-6032. Follow her on Twitter: @megankhenry.

Call IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at (317) 444-6156. Follow her on Twitter: @hollyvhays.

Summer's 10 hottest states

Average temperatures in June, July and August, ranked by 24/7 Wall St.

1. Texas, 81.3 degrees.

2. Louisiana, 81.1 degrees.

3. Florida, 80.5 degrees.

4 (tie). Oklahoma and Mississippi, 79.8 degrees.

6. Alabama, 78.9 degrees.

7 (tie). Georgia and Arkansas, 78.7 degrees.

9 (tie). South Carolina, 78.5 degrees.

10. Hawaii, 77.9 degrees.

21. Indiana, 72.4