The forecast called for sunny and hot conditions throughout the day but Mother Nature had something else in mind.
Rather than the previously forecasted air temperatures in the low hundreds and heat index values right around 110, the listening area saw more muggy conditions with air temperatures reaching the upper 90s by the late afternoon hours although heat index readings did top out just under 110. In addition to the humid air, the listening area saw a few showers and storms starting in the early morning and continuing through the mid-afternoon to early evening hours.
Rain and storm chances will be lingering in the forecast, much like the excessive heat KVOE has reported on the past few days, through most of the remaining work week. The next best chance for storms and showers comes late Wednesday evening into early Thursday morning.
Currently, slight to moderate chances for severe weather cover most of the listening area. The northwestern portion of Morris County and the majority of Wabaunsee County are in a slight risk area.
Meanwhile, a marginal risk of storm activity covers the southern portions of Morris and Wabaunsee counties, all of Lyon, Chase and Osage counties and the majority of Greenwood and Coffey counties. The southern edges of both Greenwood and Coffey are clear of any risk as of now.
On top of the severe weather risk, an excessive heat warning is still in place across the KVOE listening area through at least 7 pm Thursday. The warning reflects forecasted air temperatures at or above 100 degrees now through Thursday.
Temperatures will drop into the upper 90s Friday through Saturday before rising again between the low to mid 100s starting Sunday into the coming work week. With the heat wave ongoing, cooling centers are still up and running at the following locations:
*Emporia Police Department lobby, 518 Mechanic. Pets are allowed if they can be controlled.
*Lyon County Sheriff’s Office lobby, 425 Mechanic. Pets are allowed if they can be controlled.
*First Congregational Church of Emporia, 326 West 12th Avenue: 9 am to noon Monday through Friday and 1:30 pm to 4 pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Pets are welcome so long as they can be controlled.
*Bloom House Youth Services, 301 West 11th Avenue:
Open for TEENS and their families. You must have a teen present to access the center.
*Emporia Public Library, 110 E 6th Avenue: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday and 1 pm to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday. Service animals are welcome, but pets and ESA’s (Emotional Support Animals) are prohibited.
*Raise Your Paws, 312 Commercial: 8 am-noon and 1-5 pm weekdays. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome. Water bottles and treats for dogs are available.
If you or your business plans to act as a cooling center please message KVOE at 620-342-1400 or email KVOE@KVOE.com so the address can be added to our list.
10 am Tuesday: WEATHER: Lyon County Health Officer urges residents to take all needed heat-related precautions into next week
Air temperatures near, at or above 100 degrees and heat index readings approaching 110 into early next week have health officials concerned.
When asked on KVOE’s Newsmaker segment for her concern level, given the forecast into next week, Lyon County Health Officer Dr. Ladun Oyenuga said it’s maxed out on a five-point scale.
Dr. Oyenuga says part of her concern involves the cumulative impact of heat on the body, meaning the body’s ability to handle the heat diminishes as it experiences prolonged hot and humid conditions. She also discussed the similarities and differences between heat exhaustion and heat stroke:
*Heat exhaustion symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature and decreased urine production. First aid includes frequent sips of cool water, removing people from hot areas, removing unnecessary clothing and using cold compresses as ways to cool off a person.
*Heat stroke symptoms can also have high body temperatures, like heat exhaustion, but the list also includes confusion, slurred speech, seizures, either dry skin or profuse sweating and a loss of consciousness or coma. First-aid treatments include soaking clothes with cool water and using cold water or ice baths for the patient, but heat stroke situations should automatically involve a 911 call.
Oyenuga says people need to drink at least an extra bottle of water in order to stay properly hydrated. Drinks with electrolytes are also encouraged, but people need to stay away from drinks heavy in sugar, salt or alcohol.
An excessive heat warning continues until at least 7 pm Thursday.
*Click here for information about local cooling center locations and hours of operation.
*Click here for information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the range of heat-related illnesses, symptoms and first-aid treatments.
