Heat advisory in Twin Cities, southern Minnesota on Monday; storms on July 4th

The heat was on in the Twin Cities and across the southern half of the state Monday, as some areas posted the hottest day of the year so far.

Those who ventured outside did their best to stay cool: Pools and beaches across the metro were packed by early afternoon, and crowds attending the Taste of Minnesota in downtown Minneapolis did what they could to avoid the sun.

"I think we have to stay in the shade," said Peter Biegler of Golden Valley, who was at the music and food festival with his wife, Lisa, and children Pierce, 2, and Liviane, 4 — who got to eat ice cream for lunch.

By early afternoon, thermometers in the Twin Cities raced past 90 degrees for the 12th time this summer, the National Weather Service said. The high was 95 at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport; this year's previous high was 92.

But Monday served up some of the highest humidity levels, too, making it feel closer to 100 degrees. That combination led the the National Weather Service to issue its first heat advisory of the season.

The advisory was in effect from 1 to 7 p.m., covering the seven-county metro along with Sherburne, Isanti, Chisago and Wright counties, where sultry conditions were expected to make it feel like 95 degrees or warmer for at least three hours — the criteria for issuing such advisories, said Ryan Dunleavy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chanhassen.

Such extremes — whether hot or cold — are part of living in the Midwest, said Jacob Erichsen, 42, of northeast Minneapolis.

Michelle Rojas, 44, was visiting from Florida for the Independence Day weekend and said she's used to the heat. She traversed the Stone Arch Bridge for the first time Monday, and said she planned to spend lots of time outdoors.

"If it's in the 80s or 90s, we are good to go," she said.

For those who don't like it hot, Monday was a day to retreat to air-conditioned homes, malls, movie theaters and libraries — or hit pools, lakes or any place to escape the heat outdoors.

It's already been a busy summer at the Jim Lupient Water Park in northeast Minneapolis. On Monday the pool was expected to hit its capacity of 574 swimmers by 3 p.m. — two hours after doors opened, said Sarah Chillo, aquatics manager for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

The rush had not hit Sebastian Joe's Ice Cream Shop in Uptown Minneapolis by early afternoon, but "we are expecting it soon," said employee Lucia Frieling. The shop added two summer favorites — strawberry rhubarb and coconut cream pie — to the menu Monday.

Wearing a T-shirt and jeans, Luis Enrique, visiting from Indiana, found respite under the overhang of a bus shelter as he savored a taco.

"I'm kind of used to this heat because I'm from Mexico," Enrique said. "But still, it's hot. I spent all day here yesterday, but today I might not."

A swim in Lake Nokomis would likely be part of the itinerary for Heather and Kevin Rhein of Minneapolis, who bicycled downtown with Shayla, 2, in tow.

"The breeze was nice on the bikes," Heather Rhein said as Shayla filled up a water bottle at one of several free tap-water stations provided by the city.

When Taste opened Sunday, only empty bottles were allowed past security. The result was bins piling up with Gatorade and other beverages by the west side security entrance on Nicollet Mall by 1 p.m. — and patrons forced to spend $4 for a bottle of Dasani.

On Sunday, three people at Taste were taken by ambulance to local hospitals for dehydration, and "dozens" sought heat-related help at the first aid station, said Stan Alleyne, spokesman for the city's Office of Community Safety.

The period around Independence Day has a long history of serving up extreme heat, with oppressive conditions like Monday's on or around the holiday about every four to five years, the Climatology Office said.

Monday's heat will be short-lived as a cold front begins advancing across Minnesota. That will drop temperatures into the high 70s by Wednesday, but could bring some rain, too.

The Twin Cities has not had July 4 fireworks washed out since 1995, said Pete Boulay with the Minnesota Climatology Office. But after the second-driest June on record at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the official weather reporting station for the Twin Cities, the streak is in jeopardy.

On Tuesday, showers and thunderstorms are likely after 1 p.m. and could drop up to an inch of rain. There also is a slight risk for severe weather during the afternoon, Dunleavy said.