Thousands Without Power: Extreme Heat, More Storms In Forecast

WISCONSIN — More than 100,000 Wisconsin residents are in the dark Wednesday after severe storms swept through the area Tuesday night.

As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, We Energies reports that 107,672 people are without power. There is no estimated repair time as of now.

"Our crews are working to repair widespread power outages following severe weather across our service areas," the utility service said on its website. "All available crews will be working around the clock to restore service to our customers."

A severe thunderstorm warning went into effect Tuesday night for the region. Photos shared to social media showed downed trees in Milwaukee and photos showed a tornado touching down further north in Black Creek.

The National Weather Service says the weather Wednesday will be similar to Tuesday, with excessive heat followed by severe thunderstorms. Winds greater than 70 mph along with hail and a few tornadoes are possible, the NWS writes.

The weather service is asking people to have multiple ways to receive weather watches and warnings.

A heat advisory is in effect from noon until 7 p.m. Wednesday for parts of south central and southeast Wisconsin, including Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties. The heat index is expected to cross 100 degrees Wednesday afternoon.

"Another round of severe storms are likely to develop again from middle afternoon just northwest of the area, then move southeast through the area into this evening," the NWS writes in its hazardous weather outlook. "The main risks initially will be large hail to golfball size, damaging winds to 60 MPH and a tornado or two."

The high temperatures are forecast to continue through Thursday with another round of thunderstorms possible Thursday night, however the current NWS forecast says there is a 30 percent chance of storms Thursday night.

The weather is expected to clear up Friday with a clear weekend in the forecast.

Below is the detailed forecast through the weekend from the NWS:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 101. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7pm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 96. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.