Mitchell breaks temperature record

• Sandy Beach swimmer

Jackson Wirick, 4, of Mitchell, puts on his goggles in preparation for more swimming Monday afternoon at Sandy Beach alongside Lake Mitchell. The temperature reached a July 2 record of 103 Monday in Mitchell, and much of eastern South Dakota was in a heat advisory. (Chris Huber/Republic)
• Hot dog

Jeremy and Kathryn Knight’s dog, Hunter, splashes in the water on the south side of Lake Mitchell to cool off Monday. (Chris Huber/Republic)

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Be sure to pack plenty of water for a Fourth of July picnic this year.

Mitchell reached a record-setting 103 degrees Monday and is expected to remain hot throughout the week.

Monday’s mark beat the former July 2 local record of 101 in 1955. Today, more intense heat is expected, with a high that could reach 97.

On Independence Day, the forecast high is 101 degrees with only a light wind. There is another chance for triple-digit heat Thursday.

The hot weather combined with high humidity will bring the heat index for most days throughout the week to between 100 and 108, and the next forecast temperature below 90 degrees isn’t expected until Sunday.

Don’t plan on temperatures dipping too low after the sun goes down, either. Overnight low temperatures are only expected to reach the mid-70s throughout the week.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the area.

“The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible,” reads the advisory. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.”

At about 5 p.m. Monday, a woman was being treated at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell for heatrelated symptoms, according to a nursing supervisor.

While Monday set a record for the hottest July 2 ever in Mitchell, it is a far cry from the hottest day in the history of the city.

That record was set June 24, 1940, when the high temperature reached 116 degrees.

Chris Huber/Republic

Jackson Wirick, 4, of Mitchell, puts on his goggles in preparation for more swimming Monday afternoon at Sandy Beach alongside Lake Mitchell. The temperature reached a July 2 record of 103 Monday in Mitchell, and much of eastern South Dakota was in a heat advisory.

Chris Huber/Republic

Jeremy and Kathryn Knight’s dog, Hunter, splashes in the water on the south side of Lake Mitchell to cool off Monday.

Tags: weather, updates, record, heat, local, mitchell