Tracking a very hot & sunny Wednesday

Good morning and happy Wednesday.

Out the door this morning, temperatures are back into the upper 60s and low 70s. Today will be very similar to the last few days, with highs climbing back into the upper 90s. With the humidity factored in, it will feel even hotter during the afternoon hours.

The heat advisory has not been expanded into far northwestern Missouri, including all counties in northwest Missouri and northeastern Kansas. The current heat advisory is set to expire at 8 p.m. Friday, but it could be extended into early Saturday if the heat continues. Very high temperatures are expected to remain a concern through portions of the holiday weekend.

As we head into Labor Day weekend, we do have a chance to see a few scattered showers and thunderstorms. Rain chances remain on the lower end, so most locations will likely stay dry. Any storms that do develop could provide some brief relief from the heat, but temperatures will remain well above average.

We’ll cool down slightly through the holiday weekend, with temperatures returning to the low 90s. Even with that slight drop, temperatures will still be more than 10 degrees above the seasonal average.

Looking ahead over the next seven days, rain chances will remain relatively low, while heat continues to be the primary weather concern. Make sure you’re taking frequent breaks if you’re spending time outdoors, especially during the afternoon when temperatures and heat index values are highest.

Remember to stay hydrated, drink plenty of water and check on loved ones, neighbors and pets. Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, even for a short period of time.