News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Will Meinzinger loads a cone with ice cream while at work at Scoops in downtown Alpena on Friday. The ice cream shop will be a busy place the next several days, as the Alpena area is expected to receive near record-high temperatures.

ALPENA — Mother Nature is kicking off the beginning of summer with a bang, as temperatures are expected to approach record highs over the coming days.

There is also a chance of severe thunderstorms this morning.

The chance of thunderstorms this morning could include strong winds and hail, followed by hot and muggy weather.

The hot weather will make it perfect to visit the beach for a swim, take a ride on a board, or maybe relax indoors in the air conditioning, if heat isn’t your cup of tea.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures around Northeast Michigan will climb into the mid 80s today and then the intensity of the heat amps up on Sunday and Monday, as near-record temperatures in the mid-90s are forecasted for the Alpena area, with no chance of rain.

It is possible the heat index can reach 100 degrees or more for both of those days, National Weather Service Meteorologist Sean Christensen said.

Christensen said there is a strong chance high temperature records will be broken on Monday and Tuesday.

The current high temperature for June 22 in Alpena is 93 degrees, set in 1975. Christensen said the current forecast predicts temperatures to climb in the neighborhood of 97 degrees on Sunday.

The high temperature for June 23 is 94 degrees, set in 1923, and it is expected to reach about 95 degrees, putting the record within reach.

The intense heat will not linger for long, as temperatures will begin to fall on Tuesday and continue to dip deep into next week, Christensen said.

“This isn’t going to be prolonged and after Monday, temperatures will fall down into the low 80s and then into the mid-70s, which is about normal,” he said. “But, these few days are going to be uncomfortable and it could be rough, especially since we are used to being in our normal temperatures that are usually in the 70s right now.”

Because there are health threats associated with high temperatures, Christensen said people need to be cautious when spending time outdoors in the sun.

“Try to limit the amount of time you are outside and make sure you drink plenty of fluid,” he said. “Be wary of symptoms of heat exhaustion like feeling faint, nausea, or dizziness. Make sure you take these symptoms seriously and seek medical assistance if needed.”

Christensen said the storm that will be in the area this morning and into this afternoon will be capable of being severe and possibly causing damage too. He said besides heavy downspouts of rain, there could be strong gusty winds and hail. Also, he said, there is a small percent chance of a tornado.

“It is pretty unlikely, but there is still a chance, so people should keep their eyes on the sky and follow the latest forecast and any weather warnings that could be issued,” he said.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.