|
|
|
Eastern Jackson County, MO —
It has exceeded 100 degrees in Kansas City today, the first time that's happened on the Fourth of July since 1954.
Just before 4 p.m., the National Weather Service was showing 101 degrees at Kansas City International Airport – where official measures have been taken for 40 years – and at the Downtown Airport. It was 100 in Lee's Summit.
In 125 years of record-keeping in Kansas City, it's reached 100 just 10 times on the Fourth of July. It was 103 in 1901 and 1911. Then came the brutally hot and dry 1930s, when it was 100 or higher five years out of seven: 106 in 1934, 108 in 1936 – the record – 103 in 1937, 102 in 1938 and 100 in 1939. Then came back-to-back hot Fourths in the 1950s, with 100 in 1953 and 103 in 1954.
Then in the 56 Fourths from 1955 to 2011, it never hit 100. It was more likely to be in the 80s (27 times) than in the 90s (21) times, though many will recall the brutal summer of 1980, when it was 99 on the Fourth. It also hit 99 in 1990. Eight times during that period, the high was in the 70s.
The heat is expected to stick around into the weekend. Tuesday night's low at the Downtown Airport was 83, the second-highest on record. That's part of the heat-island effect. Buildings and streets concentrated in urban areas retain heat and slowly release it overnight, and it doesn't dissipate much if the breeze is light. That sets the stage for another run at a very high temperature the next day.
National Weather Service, Pleasant Hill: www.weather.gov/kc
It has exceeded 100 degrees in Kansas City today, the first time that's happened on the Fourth of July since 1954.
Just before 4 p.m., the National Weather Service was showing 101 degrees at Kansas City International Airport – where official measures have been taken for 40 years – and at the Downtown Airport. It was 100 in Lee's Summit.
In 125 years of record-keeping in Kansas City, it's reached 100 just 10 times on the Fourth of July. It was 103 in 1901 and 1911. Then came the brutally hot and dry 1930s, when it was 100 or higher five years out of seven: 106 in 1934, 108 in 1936 – the record – 103 in 1937, 102 in 1938 and 100 in 1939. Then came back-to-back hot Fourths in the 1950s, with 100 in 1953 and 103 in 1954.
Then in the 56 Fourths from 1955 to 2011, it never hit 100. It was more likely to be in the 80s (27 times) than in the 90s (21) times, though many will recall the brutal summer of 1980, when it was 99 on the Fourth. It also hit 99 in 1990. Eight times during that period, the high was in the 70s.
The heat is expected to stick around into the weekend. Tuesday night's low at the Downtown Airport was 83, the second-highest on record. That's part of the heat-island effect. Buildings and streets concentrated in urban areas retain heat and slowly release it overnight, and it doesn't dissipate much if the breeze is light. That sets the stage for another run at a very high temperature the next day.
National Weather Service, Pleasant Hill: www.weather.gov/kc
