A very hot and humid airmass surged into the Midwest during the long 4th of July holiday.  The dangerous heat began about noon on July 4 with relief from the heat and humidity finally arriving during the evening of July 7.  During this period, afternoon and early evening temperatures soared into the upper 90s to lower 100s with nighttime temperatures remaining well into the 70s. Combining the heat and humidity created heat index values of 105 to 115 during the afternoon and evening. The hottest day was Saturday July 7 when many locations reported afternoon maximum temperatures of 100 to 105.  In fact, a record high temperature of 100 degrees was tied at Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Saturday July 7.  The previous record was 100 set in 1936.  Genesis hospitals in the Quad Cities area treated 14 people for heat related illnesses on the 4th of July.  However, most people took precautions against the heat as excessive heat warnings had been issued to alert people of the stretch of dangerous heat and humidity.

Excessive Heat in DUBUQUE, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in HENRY, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in IOWA, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in JACKSON, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in JEFFERSON, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The high temperature at Fairfield on Saturday July 7 was 104.

Excessive Heat in LOUISA, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in MUSCATINE, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in JOHNSON, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The high temperature at Iowa City on Saturday July 7 was 105.

Excessive Heat in SCOTT, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

According to the Quad-Cities Online Dispatch-Argus, Genesis hospitals in the Quad Cities area treated 14 people for heat related illnesses on the 4th of July.  However, most people took necessary precautions to avoid the heat.  On Friday July 6, the eastbound lane of Interstate 74 near the 53rd Street exit in Davenport buckled due to the heat, causing a rather large pothole.

Excessive Heat in JONES, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in KEOKUK, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in LEE, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in LINN, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The high temperature at Cedar Rapids on Saturday July 7 was 100.  This tied the record high for the day, previously set in 1936.

Excessive Heat in VAN BUREN, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in WASHINGTON, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in BENTON, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in BUCHANAN, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in CEDAR, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in CLINTON, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The high temperature at Clinton on Saturday July 7 was 103.

Excessive Heat in DELAWARE, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Excessive Heat in DES MOINES, IOWA
From 04-JUL-12 12:00:00 to 07-JUL-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The high temperature at Burlington on Saturday July 7 was 102.