Heat in Perry, Missouri

An extended heat wave across the Quad State region occurred from mid to late July. On the synoptic scale, at 500mb, a 594dam ridge was present across the Southeast U.S. with the Quad State initially on the edge of the ridge from the 16th-18th, resulting in greater coverage of showers and thunderstorms. Heat issues continued through the end of July with no interruption for the southernmost two rows of counties.

High temperatures in the low to mid 90s combined with very high humidity (dew points in the mid 70s to near 80) produced heat index values in the 100 to 112 range from July 16th through the 18th for most of Southeast Missouri, with isolated higher values. Some relief came for northern portions of the region on the 18th due to widespread showers/storms and cloud cover.

The highest heat index in Southeast Missouri for the 16th-18th was 120 at the Big Spring RAWS site in Carter County on the 16th.