Fall Weather Brings Fire Warnings to Kansas City
As we welcome October, our good friends in Kansas City are facing an interesting mixture of beautiful fall weather and some caution about outdoor burning. The National Weather Service has thrown up a big flag, letting folks know they should steer clear of any outdoor fire-related activities on Tuesday. Why, you ask? Well, after a particularly dry September, the weather’s just the right kind of sassy to whip up some wildfires that can spread like the wind.
What’s On Today’s Agenda Weather-Wise
That’s right! While we’ll be greeted with gorgeous fall vibes, October is bringing high temperatures varying from the upper 60s to lower 70s and humidity levels that seem to be playing hide and seek. The Kansas City metro area is lucky enough to see a cozy temperature slide on up to about 70 degrees, just a smidge under the typical 74 degrees we expect around this time.
Here’s the kicker: we’re also looking at some northwesterly winds that could gust up to a brisk 25 mph in the morning. As the day goes by, the air is expected to turn drier, dragging humidity down to a mere 20-30%. Those conditions create a perfect storm for fire risks from late morning into the mid-afternoon. The weather service cautioned that while the winds will be strong, they’re not synced up with the lowest humidity, which might keep things from spiraling out of control. Still, it’s enough to get those fire safety alerts buzzing.
Chilly Nights Ahead
If you think you might be feeling just a bit too cozy with all this warmth, don’t worry! Temperatures will tumble overnight into the low to mid-40s, making it tempting for some of us to flick on the furnaces. But if you’re staying closer to the heart of the city, expect the urban heat island to keep things comfy with nighttime temps hanging out in the upper 40s.
Not So Permanent Fall Weather
Don’t get too comfortable with this fall-like weather just yet! Here’s the forecast twist: Wednesday will see temperatures shoot back up into the upper 70s, and by Thursday, we could be flirting with the mid to upper 80s. Even when a cold front swings by, it isn’t expected to cool us down by too much—most likely just a few degrees. So, hang on tight because we’re not seeing any rain coming our way for at least the next week!
Looking Back on September
Speaking of warm weather, it’s been a pretty warm and dry September for Kansas City. The climate report tells us the average temperature for that month was 70.2 degrees, which is 1.8 degrees above normal. In fact, last month made the records with the 62nd warmest September in the past 137 years. Our lovely city saw temperatures hit at least 80 degrees for 21 days, marking it as the 18th September in its history with such a high number of warm days.
And as for the rain? We only racked up 1.48 inches, which was drastically 2.56 inches below the normal of 4.04 inches. That makes September the 26th driest September ever recorded in the city. With statistics like these, it’s clear why we’re being urged to exercise caution with outdoor burning.
In Summary
As we step into October, let’s keep an eye on the weather and play it safe outside. With that little warning about wildfires in place, we can enjoy the beautiful fall weather while keeping our surroundings good and safe. Here’s to a lovely October for Kansas City—stay warm, enjoy the crisp air, and keep those fires at bay!
