Twin Cities Friday heat warning rises to 'excessive'

The Twin Cities metro area is now under an excessive heat warning for Friday afternoon.

The Twin Cities National Weather Service shifted from an earlier "heat advisory" to "excessive heat warning," saying temperatures in the mid-90s will combine with high humidity to produce a heat index between 98 and 103. The warning is in effect until 7 p.m.

A heat advisory has also been expanded to south central Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

An excessive heat warning means that a "combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely," the National Weather Service said. People who are active outdoors, children and the elderly should be particularly cautious.

Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances, the weather service added, noting "this is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes."