It’s no longer an excessive heat watch impacting all area counties beginning Saturday.
The National Weather Service upgraded the watch to an excessive heat warning from noon Saturday to 10 pm Wednesday. The warning reflects potential heat index readings as high as 110 degrees and air temperatures reaching anywhere from 102-106 during the warning period, including 106 for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
With the heat in place for most, if not all, of next week, USD 253 Emporia Director of Community Relations Lyndel Landgren says the district is asking students to bring water bottles that can be refilled throughout the day at different bottle-filling stations inside each school. Landgren also says recess and outdoor times may need to be adjusted, focusing on air-conditioned indoor activities or outdoor activities in shade. Landgren says the district has shared heat-related information with staffers and will monitor students to make sure they are safe as the heat continues.
9:20 am Friday: Cooling centers to be made available again in Emporia
With extreme heat set to blast the KVOE listening area for the next week, specially-designated cooling centers will be available until further notice.
City Communications Manager Christine Torrens says the Emporia Police Department and Lyon County Sheriff’s Office lobbies will be available. Pets will be welcome at both locations if owners can control them.
Also, Raise Your Paws, 312 Commercial, will be available weekdays 8 am to noon and 1-5 pm. Water bottles and water and treats for dogs will be available. Raise Your Paws says “friendly, leashed dogs” will be welcome. Bloom House Youth Services, 301 West 11th, is a cooling center for teenagers and their families — although a teen must be present to use that shelter space.
People, businesses or nonprofits willing to offer their spaces as cooling centers are asked to email Torrens at ctorrens@emporiaks.gov.
5 am Friday: Strong heat dome to push air temperatures above 100, heat indices as high as 112 through Thursday
Brace yourselves, because the heat is rolling in again soon.
After a relatively average temperature week by August standards, we unfortunately make up for it with high temperatures reaching perhaps as high as 106 starting Saturday and staying at or above 100 through at least Thursday. TV-13 meteorologist Doug Meyers says this particular heat dome is stronger than the last heat episode in late July and earlier this month, where storm-related cloud cover kept the high temperatures a bit cooler than expected for several days.
An excessive heat watch was announced for the eastern two-thirds of Kansas on Thursday. It begins Saturday and continues through at least Wednesday, reflecting both the high temperatures at or above 100 and heat indices as high as 102-112.
During the last heat wave, the city of Emporia, Lyon County and several private entities or churches announced dedicated spaces for cooling centers. That step has not been announced for this upcoming heat episode.
Once again, you’re advised to drink lots of water and pre-hydrate if possible. You’re also advised to wear light, loose-fitting clothing and to change your schedule — if possible — so your more strenuous activity happens in the morning or evening. And you’re also advised to take extra care not to leave children or pets in hot cars while on errands.
We’ll keep you updated on KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media.
