Late-summer sizzle returning this weekend
By Jared Shelton News-Press NOW Chief Meteorologist
When it comes to late-summer heat, August 2024 had been kind to much of the Central Plains, including the mid-Missouri River Valley. Temperature stats for St. Joseph tell the story, which has leaned toward the mild side for the past several weeks, aside from a few exceptions.
The first few days of August were indeed hot, with five consecutive days of 90-plus degree heat recorded at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, one afternoon reaching 96 degrees, the hottest day of the month so far. Following the steamy start to August, conditions took a turn for the cooler side, with nearly a week of highs in the 70s — well below the climatological average, which hangs in the mid to upper 80s for Northwest Missouri this time of year. Aside from a few blips in the cooler pattern, mid to late August has also been bearable so far, with only two days reaching 90 degrees over the past 10 days, the rest running closer to the low 80s.
Just when we thought summer was fading, this weekend is forecast to bring a fresh batch of late-season heat. A mid-level ridge of high pressure has been lurking across the Southern Plains for the past week, triggering heat alerts across the Lone Star state as triple-digit temperatures have baked the region. This large-scale atmospheric feature is anticipated to further intensify and drift northward in the coming days, promoting well above-average temperatures across the Central Plains and Midwest this weekend. Mid to upper 90s are forecast for Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas, with the potential for triple-digit heat indices continuing into the start of next week. Offering a bit of a wake-up call for what’s been a nice break from the summer sizzle in recent weeks.
With scorching days making a comeback, this begs the question: Are we headed into a warmer-than-normal fall? According to the Climate Prediction Center, this may indeed be the case, as above-normal temperatures appear increasingly likely for a large swath of the continental United States. Yes, fall will still offer a cool-off, and even periods of below-average temperatures, but a trend for the warmer side through much of autumn can be expected — a forecast most can appreciate before winter’s chill takes over in a few short months.
