Kansas City under excessive heat warning as temperatures soar to triple digits
Blistering heat will continue across the Kansas City area as Tuesday and Wednesday will likely be the hottest days of the week, according to the National Weather Service.
“Dangerous heat continues with heat index values ranging from 110-115 degrees today and tomorrow,” the weather service said. “Overnight lows only dip to around 80, bringing little relief from the heat.”
Temperatures are expected to be at or above 100 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday. Typically, Kansas City temperatures are 89 degrees this time of year.
Warm overnight temperatures are especially concerning because the body needs conditions to drop below 80 degrees to recover from the day’s heat.
Extreme heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer, typically taking more lives every year than other forms of hazardous weather.
An excessive heat warning continues for the Kansas City metro and areas to the west. The weather service said that with overnight temperatures remaining around 80 degrees, the heat will quickly build through the morning and that heat index values will race above 100 degrees by late morning.
The excessive heat warning will expand at 1 p.m. to cover the entire Kansas City region. The weather service said that while the heating from the sun will encourage winds of 20 to 25 mph, “they will act more as a blast sauna than a cooling breeze.”
The scorching temperatures will continue Wednesday, with heat index values climbing to 115 degrees.
“If you must spend time outdoors, take frequent breaks in A/C and stay hydrated,” the weather service said on X, formerly Twitter. “Check on those that are most vulnerable to heat.”
Cooler weather in Thursday forecast?
A cold front is expected to move across the Kansas City region Wednesday night and Thursday. A line of thunderstorms will likely develop along the cold front, mainly in the hours before sunrise.
While the risk of severe weather is low, strong winds and hail will be the primary threats from the storms.
Winds behind the storms are expected to turn northwesterly behind the storms, cutting off the flow of scorching air to areas north of U.S. 36 highway across northern Missouri, the weather service said. That will bring cooler temperatures for some.
Kansas City will be less lucky. Temperatures are expected to remain in the upper 90s with heat index values between 105 and 110 degrees. The excessive heat warning for the metro and locations to the southwest will continue through Thursday evening.
Dangerous heat ends, but still hot
A change in the weather pattern is expected to end the dangerous heat.
“It certainly won’t be cool, as highs look to remain in the low to mid-90s through the weekend, but the heat index values descend below 100F and overnight lows dip back into the upper 60s and low 70s,” the weather service said.
Rain chances will be limited as most storms remain out of the region.
According to the extended outlook, above-normal temperatures and precipitation are favored for the first week of August.
This story was originally published July 30, 2024 at 7:40 AM.
