Wet Thursday, but hot and sunny is on the horizon

Then more thunderstorms to start next week.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
July 31, 2024 at 9:29PM

If you’re not just a little bit paranoid, you may not be paying attention. As I advance in years, hypochondria is ramping up. I frequently make the mistake of turning to Dr. Google.

Watching the evening news I’m convinced I suffer from every disorder I see during the commercial breaks. All those new drug names to memorize!

With all this wildfire smoke I grapple with “pyrophobia,” a fear of fire. There is usually some warning with tornadoes and floods, but lightning? Good luck. “Astraphobia” is an almost irrational fear of being zapped. Then there’s “chionophobia” or fear of heavy snow. I’m good there for a few more months. Other than that, it’s going well.

Slow-moving showers and thunderstorms linger Thursday with more downpours, but I see dry, sunny skies Friday and Saturday with highs near 90 degrees. Like clockwork, thunderstorms return Sunday into Monday before we cool off into the 70s next week with a welcome drop in humidity.

Wednesday saw heat indexes of 100 degrees-plus for some towns. It’s been a sweaty jungle out there.

about the writer

Paul Douglas

Columnist

Paul Douglas is a nationally-respected meteorologist, with 40 years of broadcast television and radio experience. He provides daily print and online weather services for the Star Tribune.

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