The real heat wave has yet to hit Kansas City
The oppressive, sweltering heat that descended upon Kansas City will linger into the weekend.
And the hottest days yet to come.
Highs are expected to return into the upper 90s again Thursday, with the heat index exceeding 105 degrees for most of the Kansas City area. Some locations may even see heat index climb to 110 degrees.
The brunt of the heat wave, however, is expected to get here Friday, with temperatures soaring into triple digits. Because of the humidity, it could feel like 115 degrees.
Saturday may be just as warm with temperatures once again reaching 100 degrees in some areas.
Because of the dangerous conditions, the National Weather Service has continued its excessive heat warning. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will lead to oppressive conditions that could quickly lead to heat-related illnesses.
People are urged to take extra caution if they are spending time outside, possibly rescheduling strenuous activities to early morning or late evening whenever possible.
People are urged to stay in air-conditioned rooms and check up on relatives and neighbors, and especially the elderly.
Although the excessive heat warning was to expire at 7 p.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service has extended the warning until 8 p.m. Sunday for areas south of the St. Joseph area, including the Kansas City area.
A modest cool-down is expected Sunday primarily for areas north of St. Joseph. A delayed frontal boundary could bring a slight chance for afternoon thunderstorms.
Robert A. Cronkleton: 816-234-4261, @cronkb
Cooling Centers
All YMCA of Greater Kansas City locations will open to the public as cooling centers from 1 to 4 p.m. during the excessive heat warning.
People should bring photo identification and check in at the welcome center. Children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Activities vary by location. For locations, call 816-561-9622 or visit KansasCityYMCA.org.
All eight Salvation Army community centers across the Kansas City metro area will serve as cooling centers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
Salvation Army community center locations are:
▪ Bellefontaine Community Center, 3013 E. Ninth St.
▪ Blue Valley Community Center, 6618 E. Truman Road
▪ Westport Community Center, 500 W. 39th St.
▪ Northland Community Center, 5306 N. Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, North
▪ Southland Community Center, 6111 E. 129th St., Grandview
▪ Independence Community Center, 14700 E. Truman Rd., Independence
▪ Harbor Light Village, 6723 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
▪ Olathe Community Center, 420 E. Santa Fe, Olathe
The Salvation Army also distributes fans and air conditioners to low-income families through its Fan Club Program.
Many libraries and community centers in the Kansas City area also serve as cooling centers.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has an online tool that helps find designated cooling centers by ZIP code.
The United Way’s 2-1-1- hotline also has information on cooling centers in the Kansas City area.
This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 8:04 AM with the headline "The real heat wave has yet to hit Kansas City."