As the Ann Arbor area remained in the grip of an extended period of hot and dry weather, the National Weather Service Monday afternoon issued an excessive heat watch.

The watch is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Friday evening.

The weather service said high temperatures could reach into the mid- to upper 90s each day during the period. High humidity will combine with the hot temperatures to push the heat index from the high 90s to 105 degrees each day, the weather service warned.

Overnight temperatures dropping only into the 70s will compound the effect of several days of hot weather.

The thermometer stood at 94 at 4:30 Monday afternoon. The weather service predicts a high of 97 Friday and highs in the mid-90s Wednesday and Thursday. Saturday will be slightly cooler with a high of 91. But a significant cool-off won't come until Sunday, when the high is expected to be 85.

The Ann Arbor area is enduring the third straight week of excessive heat. The average temperature for June was 2.5 degrees above normal for the month and was the 14th warmest since weather watchers began keeping records for Ann Arbor in 1880, said University of Michigan weather observer Dennis Kahlbaum.

The heat has combined with abnormally dry conditions. Rainfall in June was 2.28 inches below normal, making it the 11th driest since record keeping began in 1880, Kahlbaum said. Normal rainfall for the month is 3.68 inches.

As of Monday morning, the Ann Arbor area is 5.07 inches below normal rainfall for the year, Kahlbaum said.

The hot conditions this week could lead to heat stroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration, the weather service said.

The watch area include Wastenaw as well as Lenawee, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe and Wayne counties.

The weather service advised people to stay out of the sun when possible and in air-conditioned rooms and check on neighbors and relatives. Children and pets should not be left in unattended vehicles.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control offers these additional tips to deal with the heat:

• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton.
• Avoid non-breathing synthetic clothing.
• Schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of day.
• Take more breaks in extreme heat and humidity.
• Take breaks in the shade or a cool area when possible.
• Drink water frequently. Drink enough water that you never become thirsty; approximately 1 cup every 15-20 minutes when you are working or exercising in the heat.

For updated forecasts and weather conditions anytime, check AnnArbor.com's weather page.