110 degree heat index prompts excessive heat warning for Kansas City

With the heat index threatening to hang around 110 degrees, the Kansas City area will be under an excessive heat warning Thursday and Friday.

The warning will be in effect from 11 a.m. Thursday through 8 p.m. Friday, according to the the National Weather Service in Pleasant Hill.

The actual temperature is expect to be in the middle to upper 90s both days, but the humidity will make it feel like it’s between 106 and 111 degrees.

The National Weather Service warns that the dangerous heat could quickly lead to heat illness or heat stroke if people don’t take proper precautions, like drinking plenty of water, wearing light-weight and loose-fitting clothing, and rescheduling strenuous activities to early morning or evening.

People working outside should take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Anyone who is overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. People should call 911 if they come across someone suffering from heat stroke.

The National Weather Service also noted that children and pets should never be left in vehicles under any circumstances, especially during warm or hot weather. Car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

A few afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms could pop up across northern and central Missouri on Thursday, which could hold temperatures down on Friday. An isolated strong storm cannot be ruled out, according to the National Weather Service.

Saturday likely will not be as hot, with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. The hot conditions, however, will continue through Sunday and into Monday. Highs both days likely will be in the low to mid 90s.

Thunderstorms are expected to move into the area on Monday night. More seasonable temperatures likely will return Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs in the mid-80s.

For people needing relief from the heat, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City announced that all of its locations will be open to the community for free from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

People should bring a photo ID and check in at the Welcome Center when they arrive. Children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. Teens 16 and older may visit unaccompanied by an adult.

Activities vary by location. To find a location near you, call 816-561-9622 or visit KansasCityYMCA.org.

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.

The Kansas City area remains under an “Orange” Ozone Alert, which means the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, adults and people with respiratory disease such as asthma.

On days where there’s an Ozone Alert, RideKC offers reduced fares of 75 cents on the buses.

The reduced fare is an attempt to convince people to leave their cars at home to help cut auto emission, a major contributor to ground-level ozone.

Ozone Alert days are noted on the buses’ overhead signs.

People needing help planning their day’s commute by bus can call the Regional Transit Center at 816-221-0660 between 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

People also can use the Trip Planner or look up routes and schedules at www.ridekc.org.

This story was originally published June 16, 2016 at 8:28 AM with the headline "110 degree heat index prompts excessive heat warning for Kansas City."