KEARNEY — While it won’t feel as severe as last week’s heat wave, temperatures will steadily climb into the upper 90s by the weekend. The smoke and haze from the Canadian wildfires will linger through Thursday.
An amplified upper-level ridge of high pressure is present across the northern half of the continental United States. This feature will break down somewhat, but not enough to impact the central Plains over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service – Hastings.
The smoke and haze from the numerous Canadian wildfires will persist through at least Thursday. As winds increase, the concentration is expected to disperse and lift off to the northwest, ending the air quality concern for the local area.
Temperatures will steadily climb over the next few days, peaking on Sunday. Current forecasts indicate highs will be in the upper 90s. The silver lining is that this heat wave should “feel,” better with less humidity in place.
Dewpoints in the 50s and low 60s should keep Heat Index values from reaching the dangerous levels the area just endured a week ago. Also, southerly winds will be stronger, which will also help how severe the heat feels, per NWS Hastings.
An upper-level disturbance will move from the Four Corners region late on Labor Day and bring a cool front through the area. This wave has the potential for some precipitation, but the overall amounts don’t look to be meaningful.
The upper-level ridge will build back into the area for the first week of September and the heat and dry conditions could linger even longer.
