ILLINOIS RADIO NETWORK — The dog days of summer are here.

That’s the message from Chris Miller at the National Weather Service in Lincoln. Heat and humidity are settling in over the area this week and Miller says August will offer more of the same. He urges caution if you’re doing anything out in this heat.

As we transition to August, Miller says the fluctuations of temperatures are going to go away and we’re going to remain in this hot weather pattern with rainfall that will be, if anything, normal for this time of the year.Today will be mostly sunny, hot, and humid. Highs are forecast in the lower 90s with peak heat index readings of 95 to 100 this afternoon.

Heat and humidity will build through mid week. By Thursday, highs in the middle to upper 90s combined with high humidity will likely force heat index values to dangerous levels in excess of 105 degrees across much of the area.