Slowly...but surely we're getting into it now...temperatures today are running several degrees warmer than yesterday at this hour...and it's a trend that will continue for the next week or so. With dewpoints in the 70-75 range creating a Heat Index of 100+ around the region. Areas to the SW of KC are even a few degrees warmer as Emporia will nudge to 100 this afternoon and for all the reasons talked about yesterday, it's tough to see 1) any significant rainfall and 2) any let-up in the unrelenting heat that will be broiling the midsection of the country for the next 7+ days. This graphic from the NWS explains/shows the latest heat headlines...

Really I don't think there is more that I can add to this...remember your heat safety tips, drink a lot of water and remember the elderly as well as the pets for the next 5-7+ days. What MAY give us some relief is the potential of a cold front before next weekend. That front doesn't look super strong, as one would expect during July, but hopefully it'll knock down the heat for at least a couple of days. Think about this some 25 million people are covered by Excessive Heat Warnings and Watches through 12 states

With all the sinking air being created by the hot air generator, pretty much on top of KS/MO...clouds will also become more and more scarce for awhile...that too will not help out the cause. Also don't be surprised, because of a lack of wind that air pollution (ground level ozone) becomes an issue early next week as well...


The terrain that didn't get the storm activity from a few nights ago is now starting to dry out in a big kind of way...take a look at this doppler estimated rain total from the last week and from the last 2 weeks, you can see areas just to the SW of KC proper are much drier than areas near and north of I-70.

The last 7 days...

The last 14 days...

I realize that in thumbnail form those maps are tough to read...click on them to make them larger...

This lack of moisture the farther to the S/SW you go certainly played a role in keeping KCI (officially for KC) below 100...and may help out again for a few more days...again IMO I'm targeting WED-FRI as potential 100+ (officially) for KC...unofficially this should happen from Downtown southwards perhaps as early as Tuesday...if not by Monday. Regardless, whether it's 98 or 103 it's still hot and really just a matter of semantics at this point. The humidity may start coming down a bit more by the middle of the week.

Our beloved Royals are up in Minnesota, where the heat will be expanding towards this weekend...I saw this article in the Washington Post...we need all the help we can get right!


Have a great weekend and try to stay cool!



Joe