Scorching conditions continue in Kansas City. Cooler air, maybe thunderstorms coming
The Kansas City area will have to endure two more days of scorching conditions before cooler air and maybe some thunderstorms move into the area, according to the National Weather Service.
Excessively hot conditions are expected for a sixth day in the metro on Thursday. Air temperatures will be slightly hotter than the past few days, climbing to around 100 degrees in the afternoon.
Dew points, however, are expected to be slightly lower. Still, heat index values are expected to be between 105 and 110 degrees, according to the weather service.
The heat index reached unprecedented levels this week in Kansas City. While heat index values are not kept as official records, they were the highest since the heat index was devised in 1979, according to data from Iowa State University.
The heat index reached 118.9 degrees on Monday and 118.1 degrees on Sunday. The previous record of 117.7 degrees was set on July 19, 20 and 25 in 2002, according to the data.
The wet bulb globe temperature, which measures heat stress on the body at work or play in direct sunlight, is expected to remain at or above 90 degrees for the much of the region.
When values are near or exceed that level, outdoor activities should be avoided, the weather service said. Both Missouri and Kansas have slightly different activity and rest break guidelines for school athletics and other activities.
Cooler air is expected to gradually move into the region from the north late Friday afternoon, but not before the metro area sees one more day of dangerously hot conditions, the weather service said. Heat index values of 100 to 110 degrees are expected. Air temperatures will be in the upper 90s.
As the cooler air approaches, there’s a chance for isolated showers or thunderstorms to develop. These storms could bring frequent lightning and gusty winds.
The heat wave will finally snap on Saturday as temperatures return to near normal. Typically, temperatures are in the mid-80s this time of year in Kansas City.
Cooler, below normal conditions are expected on Sunday and continue into next week as temperatures will climb only into the low 80s. There is a chance for storms on both Saturday and Sunday.
