Most 90-degree days in 9 years in the Twin Cities

Welcome to day 21 of 90-degree heat in the Twin Cities and much of southern and western Minnesota. That’s the highest number of 90-degree days in the Twin Cities since 2012 when we recorded 31 days.

Temperatures pushed past 90 degrees once again Tuesday afternoon in many areas.

Our heat comes with a thick dose of tropical moisture straight from the Gulf of Mexico. The dew point at 2:38 p.m. in the Twin Cities surged to 72 degrees. Combined with a temperature of 91, that pushes our heat index to a stifling 98 degrees.

A look at the dew point map nationally shows the plume of tropical moisture streaming north from the Gulf of Mexico. Few points as high as 77 degrees near the Iowa border are downright unbearable in 90-degree heat.

Heat advisory

The heat advisory continues for the Twin Cities and much of southwest Minnesota until 9 p.m. Tuesday evening. An excessive heat watch remains in effect for Wednesday.

Including the cities of Madison, Benson, Montevideo, Willmar, Litchfield, Monticello, Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul, Granite Falls, Olivia, Hutchinson, Gaylord, Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Shakopee, Hastings, Redwood Falls, New Ulm, St Peter, Le Sueur, Faribault, St James, Mankato, Waseca, Fairmont, and Blue Earth 303 AM CDT Tue Jul 27 2021 ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...For the Heat Advisory, heat index values up to 102 expected. For the Excessive Heat Watch, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 109 possible.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, south central, southwest and west central Minnesota.

* WHEN...For the Heat Advisory, from 1 PM this afternoon to 9 PM CDT this evening. For the Excessive Heat Watch, from this evening through Wednesday evening.

* IMPACTS...Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Low temperatures in the low to mid 70s Tuesday night will allow for little relief from the heat overnight, with the warmest conditions expected Wednesday afternoon.

Heat breaks Thursday

It appears our prolonged 90-degree heat wave will break starting Thursday. Highs will fall back into the 80s across southern Minnesota with 70s in the northeast. Dew points will fall into the comfortable 40s and 50s through the upcoming weekend.

Free AC is on the way. Hang in there, Minnesota.