Summer is at its peak in East Lansing - and weather officials say this week's hot temperatures will linger for a while longer.

"Right now, we're underneath an upper-level ridge that promotes dry air and we get a lot of warming down at the surface," said Bob Dukesherer, senior forecaster for the National Weather Service station in Grand Rapids. "The pattern has been in place for a few days, so we've stayed warm."

The ridge is related to a hot, drier than normal weather pattern that's across much of the central part of North America, Associate Professor and State Climatologist Jeff Andresen said.

"Where it's forecasted, there's some hope for a change in the next week or two, but we are still looking at warmer than normal temperatures into next week, regardless," he said.

Temperatures are above normal for this time of the year, Andresen said.

"It's somewhat unusual for temperatures to be this high," he said. "We are more than 10 degrees normal for average temperatures."

Yesterday, the heat index in Lansing topped out in the upper 90s and actual temperatures reached the mid-90s in some spots. Dukesherer said heat index temperatures would be higher if the air had more moisture and if the index exceeded 100 degrees, a heat advisory or statement would be issued.

Today's temperatures will be a little cooler, but highs will still be in the 90s.

"We've got a front coming down from Minnesota and Ontario, and if it held together, it would push cool air - but it's kind of falling apart," Dukesherer said.

Friday and Saturday temperatures in the Lansing area will top in the upper 80s and by early next week, a rain pattern and slightly cooler air will be in sight, he said.