Start of summer brings sizzling heat. Here’s when you’ll need to crank up the AC in KC
Summer is getting off to a sizzling start with forecasters already talking about the possibility of Kansas City’s first heat wave of the season.
Summer officially starts shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday. Temperatures, however, have already been summer-like in the Kansas City area and they are expected to get hotter, according to the National Weather Service.
Above normal temperatures are expected Wednesday and for the remainder of the week, hovering around 90 degrees on most days, according to the weather service. Kansas City typically sees temperatures in the mid-80s this time of year.
Fortunately, overnight temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s will provide some relief. Also, low humidity has been keeping heat index values near the air temperature.
But on Friday, moisture is expected to start building into the region, increasing the dew points — the higher the dew point, the muggier it will feel. This could lead to heat index values that approach 100 degrees, according to the weather service.
Dew points could creep toward the 70 degree mark this weekend. In general, when dew points reach between 55 and 65 degrees, conditions become “sticky” or muggy. Dew points above that means there’s lots of moisture in the air and conditions are becoming oppressive, according to the weather service.
Dew points less than or equal to 55 degrees will make conditions feel dry and comfortable.
There is a chance for some light rain late Friday evening, but the better chance for rain comes on Saturday. However, only scattered rain showers are expected, according to the weather service.
Sunday is expected to be the hottest day in the short-term forecast, with temperatures climbing to the low to mid-90s.
Then, the metro area is then expected to enter an extended period of warm conditions, with periods of excessive heat possible through the end of this month and the first week of July.
The Kansas City will likely see its “first heat wave of the season” beginning mid- to late next week, according to the weather service’s forecast discussion.
This story was originally published June 21, 2023 at 8:16 AM.
