Missourians should prepare for a prolonged stretch of dangerous late-summer heat, with temperatures expected to remain well above normal into September.
Kyle Perez, lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Springfield, told Missourinet about afternoon high temperatures.
“We’re looking at highs anywhere from the middle to upper 90s, even some low 100s over the next week here,” Perez said. “And to go along with that as well, we’ll be seeing maximum heat index values around 100 to 105. So that’s kind of your feel-like temperature for the afternoons.”
The hot weather is expected to continue overnight, with temperatures only dropping into the mid- to upper 70s.
Perez said the heat will feel somewhat different than many Missouri summer heat waves because humidity levels are expected to remain lower than normal. However, he said residents should still take precautions.
“This is a bit of a drier heat, so while we’re still only expecting the heat index values to be around 100 to 105, we just want to make sure that people still take the proper precautions to stay cool and hydrated during this heat as well,” Perez said.
Rain chances are expected to remain limited across the state, helping the hot and dry pattern persist through the first part of September.
While relief does not appear imminent, Perez said long-range forecast guidance suggests the pattern could begin to change later in the month.
“The signal for excessive heat goes well through early September into mid-September,” Perez said. “Once we get into the middle part of September, there is some guidance that shows that it could see a break in the pattern, but that’s something we’ll work to pin down over the coming weeks.”
Forecasters say temperatures near 100 degrees, heat index values above 100 and limited rainfall are expected across Missouri for at least the next seven to 10 days.