Heatwave Hits the Midwest While Hawaii Sips Mai Tais in the Storm

Oh, joy! It's time for a late summer heatwave to cook the upper Midwest while the Hawaiian Islands get not one, but two named storms. Sure, because why not?

Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis will sizzle under excessive heat warnings at least once this week. Don't worry, folks, it's just the Midwest turning into a giant convection oven.

"Forecast highs in the mid-90s to near 100 combined with high humidity will send heat indices into the 105–115-degree range, with widespread heat-related advisories and warnings in place," the National Weather Service oh-so-casually mentioned. Cool, cool, cool. It's not like the sky is falling or anything.

Meanwhile, Hawaii is having its own tropical party with Hurricane Gilma hot on the heels of Hurricane Hone. Because nothing says paradise like a double whammy of storms.

"Two named storms have not come within 300 miles of the main Hawaiian Islands within a week since 1992," according to AccuWeather. Well, isn't that just peachy? It's like Mother Nature said, "Hold my beer," and then threw a tantrum.

Here's your weather dose of drama for the week of Aug. 26.

Hurricane Hone: The original storm that soaked Hawaii with flooding rain bliss, and then decided to invite a friend over.

Hawaii says Aloha to Hurricane Gilma

Hawaii got a taste of Hurricane Hone this Sunday, with up to 18 inches of rain delightfully dumped on the islands by Sunday afternoon. Maui even got wind gusts up to 60 mph. Fun times!

But wait, there's more! Hurricane Gilma is now churning westward, standing just under 1,400 miles east of the big island with sustained winds of up to 115 mph. The hurricane center predicts it will weaken as the week goes on, but it will still remain a hurricane-level party pooper through early Tuesday.

Hurricane Gilma tracker

Summer's Last Hurrah: Midwest Roasts, West Coast Toasts

The Midwest will enjoy a heat wave that'll bathe the region in a glorious sea of heat advisories and excessive heat warnings. Because what screams "end of summer" more than losing half your body weight in sweat?

"Those without efficient air-conditioning or who must spend time or effort outdoors will be at a heightened risk of heat-related illness," the NWS warned, clearly because they think we're all gluttons for punishment.

But don't worry, the West won't be left out! The preview of fall they've been enjoying will come to a screeching halt this week as summer returns in force.

"Some locales can see an increase in afternoon high temperatures of up to 35 degrees in just a handful of days," AccuWeather Meteorologist Grady Gilman cheerfully noted. Oh, and did I mention the increased fire danger? Because that's not terrifying at all.

Midwest forecast

Minneapolis

Monday

• High: 90 F
• Feels Like: 101 F
• Low: 70 F

Tuesday

• High: 81 F
• Feels Like: 85 F
• Low: 65 F

Wednesday

• High: 82 F
• Feels Like: 87 F
• Low: 68 F

Chicago

Monday

• High: 93 F
• Feels Like: 100 F
• Low: 74 F

Tuesday

• High: 90 F
• Feels Like: 101 F
• Low: 74 F

Wednesday

• High: 81 F
• Feels Like: 88 F
• Low: 71 F

Milwaukee

Monday

• High: 89 F
• Feels Like: 98 F
• Low: 73 F

Tuesday

• High: 89 F
• Feels Like: 97 F
• Low: 70 F

Wednesday

• High: 81 F
• Feels Like: 89 F
• Low: 69 F

Southwest forecast

Los Angeles

Monday

• High: 89 F
• Feels Like: 94 F
• Low: 64 F

Tuesday

• High: 87 F
• Feels Like: 92 F
• Low: 63 F

Wednesday

• High: 83 F
• Feels Like: 91 F
• Low: 64 F

Las Vegas

Monday

• High: 100 F
• Feels Like: 103 F
• Low: 75 F

Tuesday

• High: 104 F
• Feels Like: 105 F
• Low: 78 F

Wednesday

• High: 105 F
• Feels Like: 107 F
• Low: 79 F

Phoenix

Monday

• High: 108 F
• Feels Like: 110 F
• Low: 84 F

Tuesday

• High: 110 F
• Feels Like: 110 F
• Low: 85 F

Wednesday

• High: 103 F
• Feels Like: 104 F
• Low: 81 F

Contributing Jeorge L. Ortiz