Northern Indiana, northwestern Ohio and extreme southern lower Michigan could experience a prolonged period of hot and humid weather this week, according to a Hazardous Weather Outlook from the northern Indiana National Weather Service (NWS) office. The outlook forecasts that high temperatures of approximately 90 degrees Monday through Friday, combined with high humidity, will yield afternoon heat indices (“feels like” temperatures) of between 95 and 100 degrees.

The NWS is advising resident to make sure they’re prepared for the heat. Drink plenty of water, check on elderly neighbors, and never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle.Much more valuable heat safety information is available on the NWS website. This information is of particular importance to anyone who plans to attend a summer festival this week, including Fort Wayne’s Three Rivers Festival.

In addition, there is a risk of severe thunderstorms in northern Indiana between 8 a.m. EDT Friday and 8 a.m. EDT Saturday, according to a Day 6 convective outlook the NWS Storm Prediction Center issued today. The risk area includes almost all but the southernmost counties served by the northern Indiana NWS office (see map below). All of Allen County, Indiana is included in the risk area, so this could be another issue for the Three Rivers Festival.

Yellow area: 30% or higher probability for severe thunderstorms within 25 miles of a point between 8 a.m. EDT Thursday, July 20 and 8 a.m. EDT Saturday, July 21.