Excessive heat will blanket area this afternoon and return next week

Temperatures will top out in the mid-90s this afternoon and combine with high humidity to push the heat index over 100 degrees across Southeast Missouri and the surrounding region, according to National Weather Service forecast information.

And the excessive heat will return next week.

The weather service expects the heat index — a "feels-like" measure of heat and humidity's combined effects — to peak between 100 and 105 degrees today and stay above 100 degrees until after 7 p.m. There's also a slight chance of storms this afternoon.

On Saturday and Sunday, temperatures and humidity should decline slightly before rising again to push the heat index above 100 degrees Monday through Wednesday.

Some relief should come from the heat on Thursday with a chance of storms.

At 12:53 p.m. the temperature was 88 degrees at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, lowered slightly by clouds passing through the area. The heat index was 99 degrees.