Rain chances continue for the next week areawide, but that won’t be the biggest weather concern for the next several days.
Stifling humidity and increasing high temperatures will lead to heat index readings above 100 degrees Monday through Wednesday, including a projected heat index of 107 on Tuesday. Air temperatures, meanwhile, will be in the upper 80s Monday, followed by low 90s Tuesday and Wednesday. Maximum dewpoints in the mid- and upper 70s will drive the heat index readings for the first half of the week.
Steamy conditions have been coupled with high temperatures in the 70s and 80s since Thursday, leading to peak heat indices as high as 95 degrees Friday. National Weather Service meteorologist Nathan Griesemer says the moisture in place since late last week “hasn’t had a lot of places to go” with no triggers or frontal boundaries moving through the area to clear out the humidity. The temperature increase at the start of the week reflects a brief taste of mid-summer.
Griesemer says a summer-like blast like the one beginning Monday can hit people pretty hard if they’re not prepared. He says some short-term schedule adjustments will help if you have to spend any time out in the heat.
As far as rainfall is concerned, area residents could see up to 0.5-inches into Monday. Current models indicate light rainfall accumulations for Emporia until the upcoming weekend.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates.
