SCORCHER: MERCURY ASCENDS, BUT RELIEF POSSIBLE

Sunday was the second hottest day of July and the year in Cape Girardeau. But the National Weather Service says relief from the heat and 11-day dry spell might arrive by mid-week.

MidAmerica Weather Services Inc. said the airport temperature, taken each hour from 3-5 p.m., remained at 97 degrees, before cooling to 96 degrees at 6 p.m. The day's high reading fell short of the record for the date, 102 degrees set in 1973.

The hottest day of the year occurred July 1, when the mercury reached 99 degrees, tying the record for that date set in 1980.

With an air temperature of 97 degrees, the heat index in Cape Girardeau soared to between 105 and 110 degrees late Sunday.

The weather service said that at 4 p.m. Sunday, the only station in the state reporting a temperature below 95 was Kirksville, with 91 degrees.

The hot spot in the state at that hour was downtown Kansas City with 100 degrees. At nearby Whiteman Air Force Base, near Grandview, the temperature was 99 degrees. Lambert-St. Louis International Airport had a reading of 96 degrees, while Columbia reported 97 degrees.

Forecasters said today will be again be mostly sunny and hot, with a chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms in Southeast Missouri. Highs will be in the mid 90s with lows in the 70s.

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast for Tuesday, but the best opportunity for widespread showers and thunderstorms in the area likely will be Wednesday.

According to the extended outlook, little, if any, rain is forecast Thursday or Friday, but highs will only be in the lower 90s, as slightly cooler and drier air works its way into the region. Lows by Thursday and Friday are expected to cool to the 60s.