September sizzle: Record-challenging heat wave to scorch central, southeastern US
As the official start of fall approaches, temperatures will throttle up to levels more typical of the middle of summer and challenge numerous record highs across the nation's midsection.
As millions of students go back to school, high school coaches gear up for practice time. There are a couple of things every parent of athletes needs to know to keep their kids safe.
The heartland of the United States has experienced a weather roller coaster as of late, with temperatures seemingly to quickly surge up and down as the official start of fall approaches. This week, however, summer may not be so quick to depart for some. AccuWeather forecasters expect temperatures to surge to record-threatening territory during the first half of the week, with a surge in humidity only making the weather feel hotter.
"A ridge of high pressure, sometimes referred to as a heat dome, will continue to slowly build over the central Plains over the next several days. This will allow temperatures to slowly but steadily climb, and keep any chances for a cooling shower or thunderstorm very low," AccuWeather Meteorologist Adam Sadvary explained. "In some locations, temperatures could surge to 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit above normal."
Temperatures will continue to trend upward across much of Kansas and Missouri, as well as surrounding states.
Through Tuesday, high temperatures may reach the triple digits across much of Kansas, as well as parts of Nebraska, Missouri and Oklahoma. In Wichita, Monday's high mark of 101 tied a long-standing record of 101 set in 1954, and another high in the triple digits is expected for Tuesday.
In nearby locations, similarly intense heat is forecast. Salina, Kansas, located approximately 90 miles north of Wichita, climbed to 100 on Monday and is forecast to challenge record highs through Tuesday. Kansas City, Missouri, narrowly avoided the triple-digit heat on Monday with a high of 99, with another day around 100 forecasted for Tuesday.
Temperatures of this magnitude are rather common during the peak summer months, but with the start of fall approaching, there is less and less historical precedent for this magnitude of heat at this time of year.
"These temperatures wouldn't be a big deal in July, when average highs are in the 90s for many of these locations. But by now, a typical day will have temperatures only reach the low 80s, showing just how abnormal the upcoming days will be," Sadvary said.
Meanwhile, with the heat dome positioned over the central Plains, areas farther south may be spared to some extent. Cities such as Dallas and Austin, Texas, should have high temperatures reach a few degrees above normal, but far less unusual than in areas to the north.
By Wednesday and late this week, however, portions of the Southeast may become the new focus for this heat dome.
"As a cold front pushes into the Plains, the broad ridge of high pressure will get shoved southeastward, taking the heat along with it. This would bring slow relief to the Plains states, but cause the mercury to surge farther east," AccuWeather Meteorologist Thomas Geiger explained.
From eastern Texas to the Tennessee Valley, the most intense heat is expected to occur on Wednesday. Some of the hottest conditions are expected in Memphis, Tennessee, where record-challenging temperatures around 100 are anticipated from through Wednesday, including a high of 98 on Monday. Other nearby cities such as Little Rock, Arkansas, Tyler, Texas, and Birmingham, Alabama, are also set to have temperatures surge into the middle to upper 90s, threatening daily record highs in the process. In combination with the high humidity that is common across the South, conditions may be downright miserable during the afternoon hours.
"Across the Plains and Southeast, those spending time outdoors may want to do so during the morning or late-evening hours, when temperatures will be most tolerable," Geiger said.
People should seek an air-conditioned environment when possible and avoid strenuous exercise and hard manual labor during the midday and afternoon hours, experts say. When it is impossible to avoid such activities, intake of non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated fluids is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of dehydration, muscle cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. High school and college athletes could be at a higher risk of heat-related illnesses as practice sessions will be in full swing next week when the heat wave is going to peak.
By late week, much of the Plains region may have temperatures lower just in time for the start of fall. In the Southeast, however, hot weather will be tougher to dislodge, with temperatures in the 90s potentially sticking around through the week.
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