Short-term heat has graced the KVOE listening area recently and will do so again soon.
Thursday’s 92-degree high was close to the existing record of 96 degrees set back in 2006. After a high in the low 80s Friday, the low 90s return Saturday with a high of 92 expected. Again, that will be close to a record. The current record is 95 degrees set back in 1963.
The heat disappears with highs in the low 80s Sunday and upper 70s Monday, but the dry conditions will continue for at least a week — and the US Drought Monitor’s latest report shows low-levels of drought are filling in across almost the entire KVOE listening area. Central Lyon County, including Emporia, is clear, as are parts of extreme east and west Chase County, north Coffey County and far south Osage County, but the rest of the KVOE listening area is listed as abnormally dry or the mildest level of drought on the scale.
There has been no rain at KVOE since the area received around two inches of rain between Sept. 19-24, and the National Weather Service Wichita office says warm and dry conditions can be expected through mid-October. The Weather Service also expects a return to La Nina, or a cooling of the surface waters in the Pacific Ocean, later this fall through at least early spring. That trend is important because it can lead to warmer and drier conditions across the state.
*Click here for the US Drought Monitor website.
*Click here for the National Integrated Drought Information System website.
