Extreme heat continues to bake Kansas City area. When will cooler temperatures arrive?
Dangerous heat will continue its grasp on the Kansas City area as the metro faces another extremely hot and muggy day, the National Weather Service said on Tuesday.
For the the fourth consecutive day, Kansas City will see it’s temperatures rise into the mid- to upper 90s while high dew points will make it feel more like 110 to 120 degrees, the weather service said.
The extreme heat and humidity will “significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor actives,” the weather said in an excessive heat warning that remains in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday.
Meanwhile, overnight conditions are a concern too because temperatures have been dropping only into the mid- to upper 70s, giving people little relief from the daytime heat. In general, people need temperatures to drop below 80 degrees to allow them to recover from extreme heat.
At Kansas City International Airport, temperatures only fell the 77 degrees Tuesday morning.
The wet bulb globe temperature, another way to measure heat stress on the body at work or play in direct sunlight, is expected to climb above 90 degrees across the metro.
“Outdoor activities should be avoided when values near and exceed 90 degrees,” the weather service said.
Kansas City Public Schools announced Monday that it will let out early this week because of the dangerous heatwave. Having students go home early was the “responsible and safe choice,” the district said.
The hot and muggy conditions are expected through the end of the week, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees on Wednesday and 101 degrees on Thursday. The heat index is expected to be between 105 and 115 degrees on both days.
Conditions will marginally improve on Friday with temperatures in the mid-90s and heat index values between 95 and 110 likely.
Much cooler conditions arrive for the weekend and continue into early next with temps expected to remain below normal for most of the Kansas City area. Typically, temperatures are in the mid-80s this time of year in Kansas City.
There is a slight chance for rain this weekend, but it is not expected to be a washout, the weather service said in its forecast discussion.
This story was originally published August 22, 2023 at 7:26 AM.
