Extreme heat remains in southern Minnesota

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CHANHASSEN, Minn. -- Excessive heat warnings are in effect until 7pm tonight across most of southern Minnesota.

It's one more day of discomfort for folks in the lower third of the state. Forecasters say most of southern Minnesota will remain very hot and sticky today, with highs in the upper-90's and heat indices ranging as high as 112-degrees this afternoon. The excessive heat warning until 7pm tonight extends eastward from Marshall, Worthington and Willmar -- across the state into Iowa and Wisconsin. Central Minnesota is in line for slightly cooler temperatures and less humidity. Northern Minnesota will see highs around 70.

Forecasters warn that temperatures will be in the upper-90's this afternoon before things start to cool off this weekend. Central Minnesota is in line for slightly cooler temperatures and less humidity. Northern Minnesota will see highs around 70.

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The National Weather Service continues to go through data during this unusual hot spell. Earlier this week, the Twin Cities and St. Cloud set new record highs. Now forecasters in La Crosse say a record-warm low temperature of 79-degrees was set there on Thursday. Rochester also tied its 1983 record-warm low at 73-degrees.

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Think it's warm now? Pete Boulay from the state Climatology Office says you should have been around during the Depression in 1936. He says that year saw a number of hot weather records fall. One example: It was on this day in 1936 that the Twin Cities hit a record high of 104-degrees.

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The main access roads have been reopened leading into Chippewa National Forest, following two storms earlier this week. However, officials say there is still a lot of work needed along trails, campgrounds and other forest roads. Throughout Beltrami County, people with chainsaws and "elbow grease" are needed for tree-clearing and clean-up around Bemidji and other areas hard hit by high winds. The hotline number for volunteers is 218-333-8395.

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Continuing heat and humidity have health officials reminding of the dangers of heat exhaustion. Symptoms include profuse sweating, weakness, rapid breathing and dizziness. Kristin Raab with the Minnesota Health Department says if you're experiencing heat exhaustion, stop all activities, go to a cool place, rest, drink electrolyte containing fluids and water, and try to cool down. Raab says if you don’t start to feel better after cooling off and drinking liquids, you may be suffering from heat stroke and should call 911 immediately.

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Disaster recovery centers open this afternoon in Duluth, Barnum and Willow River for flood victims in northeastern Minnesota. The Department of Public Safety's Doug Neville says there are resources and information to assist home and business owners who suffered flood damage. Neville says they can answer questions about housing, water quality, insurance, employment and human services. The disaster recovery centers will be open today until 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 9 to 3.

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If you plan to continue your Fourth of July celebration into the weekend, a reminder that fireworks are not allowed in the Chippewa and Superior National Forests. Spokeswoman Kris Reichenbach says fireworks are basically "fire starters" out in the woods, endangering not only the resource but also other guests and people who live in forested areas. Violation of the fireworks ban in Superior and Chippewa National Forests carries a penalty of up to six-months in jail and a five-thousand dollar fine.

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