SIDNEY - A late-summer "heat dome" unleashed new record high temperatures across the Nebraska Panhandle area early this week.

According to the National Weather Service office, Scottsbluff, Sidney and Alliance all broke records set in 1960 on Monday. Sidney and Alliance hit 103, while Scottsbluff topped out at 102. 

WeatherEye Meteorologist Mike Karow says there were more widespread record-breaking temperatures again on Tuesday.

"Chadron at 105," Karow said. "Here in Sidney, we did manage to set a new record of 101. Scottsbluff setting a new record of 103 degrees. Down to near Imperial at 105 degrees, as well."

Alliance tied the 101-degree set in 1905 on Tuesday. 

While Wednesday and Thursday remained hot, Karow predicted temperatures to stop shy of setting new records in the mid- to upper-90s. Following the heat, cooler and rainier conditions move into the Sidney region Friday into Saturday.

According to Karow, two to five inches of rain could be possible depending on where the "bulls-eye of heaviest rainfall" sets up.

"Some of this heavy rainfall is going to be coming from the remnants of Tropical Storm Herald that hit southern portions of Texas on Tuesday," Karow said. "Some of that heavy rainfall currently working slowly up northward through New Mexico and will continue to work north-northeastward right along that upper level ridge of high pressure."

Karow says the possibility of rain will last over a 24-hour period beginning on Friday evening. Friday's high temperature is expected to be around 80, 72 on Saturday and 82 on Sunday.