Sweltering September Heat Wave Coming to an End in the Central U.S.

Posted: September 22, 2022 11:03 am

Multiple Records Fell During September Heat Wave

The arrival of fall will bring cooling temperatures to the central U.S.. Beginning on Thursday, the last gasp of summer will retreat from the region, bringing the temperatures down to drastically cooler readings.

Heat Easing Up Throughout Central U.S.

The region had been gripped by a late-summer heat wave in recent days with many areas cracking the century mark. Daily high temperatures fell all over the region as the mercury soared to levels more typical for July and August. However, that is all about to change as these readings will be replaced with temperatures that are similar to what you would expect in the middle of October.

While the cooldown will start in the central portions of the nation, the relief will eventually spread to the eastern U.S. by the end of the week and the weekend. The change in the temperatures will also be accompanied by precipitation in some areas.

It has been particularly warm in Chicago. Nearly all of the first 20 days of September saw readings that were above normal for the daily high. The temperature averaged 71.8 degrees through the first 20 days of the month, translating to a reading of 3.6 degrees above normal.

Tuesday was the hottest day of the month for many cities across the Plains states. It was not uncommon to see the mercury soar over 100 degrees with records falling all over the place. Some of the hot spots included Wichita and Kansas City. Each of these cities broke record highs on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

For instance, Kansas City International Airport tied the record of 96 degrees on Sunday, a reading that had stood since 1925. It was even hotter on Monday and Tuesday with readings of 99 degrees, bringing down records from 1954 and 1948.

Residents in Wichita were begging for a taste of fall on Monday when the temperature hit 101 degrees. Other cities that saw records fall included Memphis, Omaha, and Fort Smith, Arkansas. While it was another scorcher of the day, those who are tired of the heat will be glad to know that a cooler air mass is already moving to the south across the Plains and Mississippi Valley.

Heat Already Letting Up in Northern Plains

Some areas that have already seen a taste of this relief include Omaha. Although the biggest city in Nebraska topped the century mark on Tuesday, the temperature was in the upper 50s by Wednesday evening. The high on Thursday is only expected to hover in the mid-60s.

This cooling trend will continue its migration to the south by the end of the week. This means that cities such as Kansas City, Chicago, and St. Louis will see a shift of about 30 degrees.

Those in the south-central U.S. hoping for a cooler weather pattern will not be as lucky. Dallas will challenge record highs with forecast readings in the upper 90s. The temperatures will finally start to drop slightly by Sunday with the real relief coming on Monday when the high will stay in the upper 80s.

The Dallas metroplex is on the verge of breaking an unusual record should the mercury reach the 100-degree benchmark on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The city recorded 47 days of temperatures at 100 degrees or higher this summer. It only needs three more days at this level for 2022 to climb into a tie for fifth-place for the most days over 100 degrees in one year.

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