Kansas City Experiences Unseasonably Warm Weather as Summer Persists into October

Kansas City Weather Update: Summer in October

Good Wednesday, Kansas City! As we settle into October, you might find it hard to believe that summer is still hanging around. The calendar is telling us it’s fall, but the weather definitely has other ideas. This week, we’ve been experiencing temperatures that feel more suited for July than October. Let’s dive into what this means for all of us living in the vibrant, bustling heart of Missouri.

Summer-Like Temperatures

Historically speaking, October in Kansas City tends to be a milder month. Since temperatures began being recorded in 1887, we’ve seen temperatures hit 90 degrees or above only 44 times out of 4,247 days in October. That’s roughly just 1% of the time! However, this year, we’re forecasting not one but two days of 90-degree weather over the next five days. If that happens, it would mean a surprising 6% of this month reaches scorching heights!

This Week’s Forecast

Starting off with tomorrow, Thursday promises to heat things up. We’re looking at a southwest breeze blowing at 5-15 mph, bringing in a hot air mass that could raise temperatures by as much as 30-40 degrees from morning lows in the 50s. It’s a clear sign of dry air and ground. Now, you might think all this simmering heat would lead to thunderstorms, but hold your horses! Unfortunately, those storms are expected to stay far away—mostly affecting areas in eastern Iowa and northern Illinois.

Come Friday, the situation shifts as a cold front slips through. You’ll be pleasantly surprised with highs in the mid to upper 70s and an east-northeast breeze. What a fantastic Friday it will be!

A Warm Weekend Ahead

Fast forward to Saturday—the warm front will surge back, giving us a second chance at those steamy 90-degree days. But just like before, the thunderstorms aren’t expected to show up, and we might not even see a cloud in the sky. Sunday and Monday will follow suit with lovely fall weather, just in time for Monday Night Football. The Kansas City Chiefs will take on the New Orleans Saints, and temperatures should dip into the 60s with a light wind—perfect football weather!

The Drought Dilemma

Now, let’s shift gears to the dry side of things. Since July 4th, Kansas City is running approximately 7.5 inches below average in rainfall. Our current Drought Monitor reflects a rather concerning trend. The newest report will be issued on Thursday, and experts predict it won’t paint any prettier of a picture. We’ve transitioned from “just dry” to “abnormally dry,” which is the first level of five on the drought scale. Thankfully, the dryness hasn’t had much effect on our corn and soybean growing this season.

What Lies Ahead?

As we look out to the next ten days, there’s no rain to speak of in the forecast. With tropical systems brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, any hope for moisture seems far away. So, if you’re looking for that cozy fall weather, it might only come as a brief tease in the form of a cool morning here and there.

However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon! A unique weather pattern known as the LRC (Lezak’s Recurring Cycle) is expected to start shaping up by early to mid-November. Once it settles in, it may provide a more varied weather outlook, hopefully steering away from this persistent dryness.

As we wrap up this weather update, it seems like summer still has a firm grip on Kansas City. Whether you’re enjoying the sunshine or needing rainfall for your garden, it’s clear we’ll have to wait a bit longer for those genuine fall vibes. Stay tuned for further updates, and have a wonderful week and weekend, Kansas City! And, let’s cheer on our Royals!