Heat wave returns - but a big change looms

Weather patterns can be very stubborn sometimes, and what we are dealing with this week is one of those patterns. It's nothing unusual or record setting, but it does require us to plan accordingly and prepare. Kansas will be under a very large, high pressure system that's going to keep temperatures hot and keep rain chances at bay. We did get lucky with some rain in north central Kansas yesterday evening (Monday eve), but those chances quickly fade as the "H" get stronger.

This summer so far (from June 1-July 17), hasn't been quite as hot as last summer. The difference though is pretty small. Just look at the average for Salina, Dodge City, and Wichita.

Storm chances will go way north and east of us through the middle of the week. Monsoon moisture has returned to the southwest US and resulted in some pockets of major, deadly flooding. The devastating flood in Arizona from over the weekend was created by just an inch and a half (1.50") of rain.

Sometimes monsoon moisture west of the Continental Divide can reach Kansas, but that doesn't happen this week. 

Changes coming!!

First, the big heat dome will break down this weekend and move to the east. Then a front should get into Kansas Saturday night/Sunday. Temperatures will cool down into the 70s and 80s by the end of the weekend AND we should have some pretty good chances for storms to arrive. Right now, computer models are showing storms in western Kansas Saturday night and early Sunday, but then spreading east by Sunday night. Next week looks MUCH cooler for most of the area. So check back as we track this change headed to Kansas.