Dangerous heat, high humidity bear down on Kansas City
It’s going to be a hot Monday in Kansas City — an oppressively hot one.
Very warm temperatures and high humidity will combine to make Monday uncomfortably hot across the Kansas City region.
An excessive heat warning has been issued for much of the Kansas City region, including Atchison, Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties in Kansas, and Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties in Missouri.
The warning is in effect from noon to 9 p.m. Monday. High temperatures, probably in the middle to upper 90s, will combine with abundant moisture, sending the heat index soaring as high as 116 degrees.
The National Weather Service is urging people to take extra precautions if they work or spend time outside Monday. People should reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or late evening and wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.
People are also encouraged to drink plenty of water.
Those working outside should take frequent breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.
YMCA of Greater Kansas City announced that its locations will be open to the public from 1-4 p.m. Monday to allow people to cool off. Guests should bring a photo identification and check in when they arrive.
Children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by someone 18 years old or older. Teens 16 years old and older may visit unaccompanied by an adult.
Activities vary by location. To find a location near you, call 816.561.9622 or press KansasCityYMCA.org.
Many libraries, senior centers and community centers also are open as cooling stations during extreme heat. For a complete and searchable list of cooling centers, go the the United Way of Greater Kansas City 2-1-1’s website by pressing here.
A cold front is expected to slide across the region Monday night, bringing a chance for scattered showers and storms to northern Missouri and far eastern Kansas. But the cold front will only bring slightly cooler conditions on Tuesday. The warm and humid conditions are expected to dominate the remainder of the work week.
To reach Robert A. Cronkleton, call 816-234-4261 or send email to bcronkleton@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 8:16 AM with the headline "Dangerous heat, high humidity bear down on Kansas City."