La Crosse, Wis. – Residents across the Upper Midwest should prepare for dangerous heat this weekend, with heat index values soaring as high as 105 degrees by Saturday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, an Extreme Heat Watch is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening for parts of northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and southwest Wisconsin. Affected areas include La Crosse, Winona, Rochester, Decorah, and Charles City, along with counties such as Floyd, Allamakee, and Grant.
The intense heat, paired with high humidity, will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illness. Officials urge residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity, and check on elderly neighbors or those without air conditioning.
Cities like Platteville and Prairie du Chien could see oppressive afternoon highs, especially in urban areas with limited shade. Cooling centers may open locally if temperatures push higher than projected.
The last comparable stretch of heat in this region was in July 2022, when similar index values strained local power grids and led to dozens of heat-related emergency calls.
This heat wave is expected to break late Sunday night as a cold front pushes through the region. Additional advisories may be issued if conditions intensify.
