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A one-two punch of near-record-breaking heat and intense thunderstorms have hit Milwaukee-area residents this week but forecasters say a respite could arrive by the weekend.
To begin this week, Milwaukee recorded highs of 94 degrees, with heat indices making things feel closer to 100 degrees. Apart from the high temperatures in the area, high humidity was also present in the area making it a prime mixture for thunderstorms on Tuesday afternoon.
The high temperature for Wednesday is expected to peak at only 74 degrees in the city of Milwaukee and 78 degrees in other areas outside of the city, according to the National Weather Service.
Wednesday’s temperature is close to the average late-August high temperature of 79 degrees.
Nake Falkinham a meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Milwaukee talked about the conditions in the last couple of days.
“All that heat and moisture that was in place across the area kinda primed the area for severe weather,” he said.
Storms cause damages and accidents in Milwaukee
According to the National Weather Service, about .14 inches of rain fell in Milwaukee between Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Winds in the area caused branches to be knocked onto powerlines causing power outages amid high temperatures.
Winds were so strong in one area that caused a tree to fall onto the road almost hitting a bicyclist.
In the video you can see winds swinging trees back and forward until one falls onto the road, knocking a power line down with it as well.
A cyclist on the road does not manage to stop in time and falls right onto the fallen lumber.
A pedestrian walking along the sidewalk comes to the cyclist’s aid.
Temperatures and storms to become calmer towards the end of the week
Looking ahead toward the end of the week and Labor Day weekend, temperatures and weather conditions are expected to become less extreme.
The National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to remain mild for the rest of the week with highs only reaching the mid-to-high 70s and low 80s.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely Thursday night heading into Friday.
Labor Day weekend is also forecasted to be mostly clear and dry, with a high of around 80 degrees on Saturday.
Labor Day itself is expected to be sunny and rain-free, with a cool high of around 70 degrees.
Wisconsin weather warnings
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
