Extreme heat to finally end with Wednesday night storms

Dangerous heat and humidity will continue through Wednesday before a frontal passage finally brings thunderstorms and a return to seasonal average temperatures.

Tuesday's extreme heat warning could possibly be the hottest of the past two weeks, with a high at 97 and peak heat index readings of 115 possible in some spots. On Wednesday, the high returns to 96, and the heat index could top 110 once more before the chance for thunderstorms builds Wednesday night and become widespread on Thursday.

The storms Wednesday night have a slight risk of reaching severel levels, mostly in southern Illinois.

The rain will be part of a cold front that finally ushers in muich lower temperatures and humidity through at least the weekend.

Temperatures will finally return to seasonal normals at 89 on Thursday, then 83 on Saturday and 84 Sunday. The historical average temperature for Paduah during the first week of August is 90 degrees.