Lather, rinse, repeat. Cut and paste. Here we go again.
However you say it, the heat we have now seen for a week will continue through Labor Day and into the middle of next week.
After reaching 99 with a peak heat index of 102 on Friday, air temperatures should reach 100 on Saturday with a peak heat index of 103. Air temperatures should be close to or at 100 degrees through Wednesday, with heat index readings from 100-104. An extreme heat warning continues for Lyon, Coffey, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties until 7 pm Tuesday. A heat advisory continues for Chase and Greenwood counties until 8 pm Tuesday.
The past week has seen heating and air conditioning repair technicians scrambling to restore cooling for homes and businesses alike. Modern Air co-owner Travis Sullivan says his office phone has been burning up with over 30 calls a day all week.
There have already been several heat waves this summer, with the other hot periods also including more humidity than we have seen since August 29. However, Sullivan says the same issue — lack of cleaning, in general terms — can pose problems for an AC system, whether it’s the first heat wave of the season or the fifth.
James Parker Bass of Bass Heating and Air had a similar report, urging both residents and business owners to make sure their systems are routinely serviced. He also encourages homeowners not to use their stove-top ovens or other cooking sources that produce a lot of heat between 2-7 pm.
Earlier forecasts had the area dry until at least late next week. That has changed a bit. There is a slight chance of storms Sunday afternoon and evening, followed by slight to moderate chances of storm activity Wednesday through Friday. Based on current projections, temperatures should be in the low and mid-90s for Thursday and Friday.
The National Weather Service Topeka office indicates we still could have above-normal temperatures through September 18. The Wichita office, meanwhile, citing a very strong El Nino climate pattern where surface temperatures for the central Pacific Ocean are much warmer than normal, says Kansas could see average to above-average precipitation from October to March, based on averages of the last 11 strong to very strong El Nino patterns since 1950.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates.
