Prickley Pear Cactus June 11th 2012

Very stick and hot weather took over the area for the past couple of days. Today was offically the hottest day of the year so far at many reporting stations. Temperatures have been in the 90s both Monday and Tuesday with lows in the low to mid 70s with steamy dewpoints in the upper 60s  to lower 70s. Monday was very humid and Tuesday was the peak of the hot airmass in which highs topped out as high as 95.F. Heat index values to go with these temps were as high as 100.F, luckily it was more windy to help keep things cooler. Temsps today were about 15 degrees above normal. Average highs this time of year are around 80.F. The temperature at my station today in West Downtown Rochester was 95.F, with a reported heat index of 100.F, this is the hottest temperature of the year so far and the 9th time my location has hit 90.F or above so far this season. I also want to note the low was 75.F overnight Monday Night into Tuesday which is the warmest night time low of the season so far. Above is a prickly pear cactus which appropriately bloomed during last weeks hot spell!

High tempetures/Highest heat index values.

The highest temperature seen in the area was both at Winona and Downtown Rochester which both has 95.F with a heat index of 100.F