Summer-like Heat continues for Midwest! (credit: National Weather Service)

Discussion: Today marked the official start of astronomical Fall. Yet, across the Midwest, temperatures painted a different picture. This week, the Midwest has experienced Summer-like temperatures, with highs ranging between the upper 80’s and lower 100’s, as well as heat indices in the mid to upper 100’s .This was due to a ridge of high pressure hovering over the central United States throughout the week. Temperatures have been several degrees above-average for the month of September across many parts of the Great Plains.  The combination of high temperatures and particularly dry air were sufficient enough for the issuance of a heat advisory was issued for parts of Oklahoma on Monday (A rare occurrence for that part of the country during the month of September).

However, this Summer-like heat and dry weather is expected to come to an end soon, as a cold front is forecast to move through this weekend.  While this cold front should bring some relief from the hot, dry weather it will also bring a renewed threat for flooding and/or flash flooding with rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches possible.  It does not appear that this system will produce much in the way of a severe weather threat, aside from some thunderstorms capable of producing gusty winds. The cold front is forecast to move out of the area by late Sunday. Thereafter, temperatures should return to normal, with highs in the upper 60’s to lower 70’s. 
 
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~Meteorologist Noah Hardy