Although the first day of summer doesn’t begin until next week, the season’s scorching heat and humidity have settled into Kansas City, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather will be dangerously hot on Thursday, with temperatures reaching the mid to upper 90s. The weather service said some areas in northeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri could flirt with their first 100-degree day. High humidity makes it feel stuffy and heat index values are between 100 and 106 degrees.
Dew points across the region will be around 70 degrees, meaning there will be a lot of moisture in the air, making the heat feel oppressive.
“SW (southwest) winds gusting around 20-25 MPH will feel more like a blast furnace than a refreshing breeze,” the weather service said in its forecast discussion.
In the Kansas City area, a heat advisory is in effect from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. The weather service advises people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms and stay out of the sun. People should also look out for their vulnerable family members and neighbors.
When temperatures are this hot early in the season, the risk of heat illness is higher because the body has not yet had a chance to adapt to the heat.
Giant hail possible
In addition to the oppressive heat, the Kansas City area is at risk for strong to severe thunderstorms in the evening.
Scattered thunderstorms should develop along a cold front near the Iowa-Missouri border by late afternoon. Tonight and overnight the showers will move south.
“While uncertainties remain, confidence is increasing that if storms do develop, they will likely become severe quite quickly, with large to possibly giant hail (2 to 4 inches), damaging winds and heavy rainfall,” the weather service said. A few tornadoes are possible.
The atmosphere is extremely unstable and a large amount of energy is available for the development of thunderstorms. The weather service said there are a number of factors that could limit widespread storms, so some areas may see strong to severe thunderstorms while other areas may see no storms at all.
The weather service’s Storm Prediction Center has exposed parts of the Kansas City region, including the metropolitan area, to an increased risk of thunderstorms. Kansas City is also part of an area at risk for significant severe hail that extends from the metro through northern Missouri and southern Iowa into Illinois.
Hot, humid weather sets in
The heat and humidity will continue in the Kansas City area this weekend and next week as summer officially begins on June 21. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 90s. Temperatures in Kansas City are typically in the low to mid 80s for this time of year. Dew points remain at a level where the heat feels oppressive.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely Friday evening through Saturday. However, the area looks tumultuous, the weather service said. However, isolated strong to severe storms cannot be ruled out.
Temporary thunderstorm chances return Saturday afternoon and continue overnight into Sunday morning.
“Somewhat fittingly as the summer solstice approaches, the summer weather pattern of hot, moist air combined with multiple showers and thunderstorms is establishing itself,” the weather service said.
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