Today is going to be a scorcher according to the National Weather Service in Des Moines.

Meteorologist Cory Martin tells Raccoon Valley Radio that things may start out normally in the morning, but that the temperature is set to drastically rise in the second half of the day.

“Heat indices during the afternoon to early evening hours, peaking around the mid to upper 90’s across much of central Iowa.”

Something else Martin warns those in central Iowa about is the possibility of severe storms. He explains that this severe weather is most likely to present as thunderstorms, high winds and hail later in the evening. Martin says that meteorologists with the National Weather Service are hoping that the worst of the weather will hold off until late evening, after celebrations have been had, and that it looks like everything may begin closer to 11pm. He mentions that this is subject to change though, so pay attention to any weather reports throughout the day.