Duluth, MN Weather: Hot Now, Cooler By The Fourth Of July

Step outside anywhere in the Northland today, and you'll feel it right away. It's a hot one.

The air is thick, the kind of muggy that has the air conditioner working overtime, for those fortunate enough to have one, and Lake Superior looking more inviting by the minute.

Highs are pushing into the upper 80s across Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, with enough humidity to make it feel even stickier than the number suggests. The National Weather Service in Duluth has the details for both sides of the region.

So no, we're not going to pretend it's pleasant out there. But here's the thing worth keeping in perspective: as hot as it is up here, the Northland is actually getting off easy.

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It's Far Worse In Other Parts Of Minnesota And Wisconsin

It's hot in the Twin Ports, but in places not that far away, like in northwestern Wisconsin, around Danbury and the inland lake country, it runs a touch warmer, and it'll stay that way a little longer.

But that's nothing compared to what the folks sweating it out in the metro are experiencing.

Look a few hours south, and it's downright brutal. The Twin Cities metro is under an extreme heat warning, coming off the hottest day of the year so far, with dangerous heat expected to linger into the week.

Wisconsin has it rough, too. The National Weather Service reports that the southern two-thirds of the state is baking in the 90s, with heat index values climbing as high as 107 degrees and even overnight readings stuck in the upper 70s.

Reports indicate that most of Wisconsin is under heat advisories in the north and extreme heat warnings in the south, with cities from Madison to Milwaukee feeling the worst of it.

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The common thread across both states: the farther north you go, the more the worst of it fades. Up here in the Northland, today is the peak, and then things are expected to cool down.

It's Still Plenty Hot In The Northland, So Look Out For Each Other

Getting off easy compared to the metro does not mean this heat is harmless. Upper-80s temperatures with this kind of humidity are still more than enough to put vulnerable people and animals at real risk, and that's especially true south of Highway 2, where forecasters say the heat index can climb past 100 degrees.

The National Weather Service offers a full rundown of heat safety tips, but a little common sense goes a long way:

Check on elderly neighbors, people who live alone, and anyone without air conditioning.
Never leave kids or pets in a parked car, even for a minute — interior temperatures spike fast and turn deadly.
Bring pets indoors or make sure they have deep shade and plenty of fresh water, and watch for signs of heat stress.
Drink water, ease off doing hard work outside during the midday peak, and learn the warning signs of heat exhaustion.
Keep an eye on outdoor workers and anyone spending the day out on the water.

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The Fourth Looks Comfortable, But Don't Rule Out Showers

While the southern halves of both states brace for more heat, the Northland is staring down a genuine cooldown heading into the holiday weekend.

We're currently expecting to see the Fourth of July land right around a comfortable 70 degrees.

The one thing to watch is rain, as there's a chance of holiday showers at some point on Saturday, so it's worth keeping an eye on the latest forecast as the weekend gets closer, so you can have fun between a few showers should they make their way here.