Excessive heat on tap for Minnesota, Wisconsin on Friday

An Excessive Heat Watch is in effect for the Twin Cities metro Friday as the temperatures and humidity continue to increase throughout the day Thursday. 

A few strong storms are likely Thursday afternoon and into Thursday night across mostly northern Minnesota. On Friday, the heat will get downright oppressive as highs in the upper 90s combine with dew points in the 70s to spit out a tropical Heat Index in the 105-110 range. 

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch from Friday morning through the evening for the following counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin: Anoka, Barron, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Dakota, Dunn, Eau Claire, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Nicollet, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Croix, Stearns, Steele, Waseca, Washington Watowan and Wright. 

Heat illnesses are possible for those active outdoors or those susceptible to heat illnesses, such as children or the elderly.