Regional Forecasts

Pattern Change Brings Heat Relief to the Plains, Midwest and East

At a Glance

A weather pattern change is providing much-needed heat relief to the central and eastern U.S.
Instead of highs in the 90s with heat indices over 100 degrees, temperatures will hold mainly in the 70s and lower 80s.
Comfortable overnight lows in the 60s or cooler are also expected, allowing you to give the air conditioner a break.

A weather pattern change will usher in welcome relief from the sweltering conditions early this week, replacing the dangerous heat with more comfortable weather for late July.

The jet stream will dive southward from the upper Midwest toward the East Coast, shifting the dome of high pressure responsible for the recent heat wave to the Rockies.

This will bring cooler, drier air to much of the central and eastern U.S. and drop temperatures to near or even below average for late July, making the hottest time of the year feel comfortably mild.

The jet stream will dip southward over the Midwest and East, sweeping away the heat and humidity.

This means instead of highs in the 90s with heat indices over 100 degrees, temperatures will only top out in the mid-70s to lower 80s across the Plains, Midwest and East early in the workweek, and it will actually feel like what the thermometer reads. Some parts of the upper Midwest and Northeast will struggle to even reach 70 degrees some days.

Even better, lows will dip into the 60s overnight, with 50s expected in the typically cooler areas of the upper Midwest and interior Northeast. Perhaps you can give the air conditioner – if you have it – a break and open the windows.

(MAPS: 10-Day U.S. Forecast Highs/Lows)

The forecast for the end of summer suggests hot weather may return to parts of the South and East in August, according to the latest long-range outlook from The Weather Company, an IBM Business.

(MORE: Hot End to Summer in Parts of East)