Jared Shelton

After a sweltering start to the work week, a much-needed break from high heat and humidity is in the cards for Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas starting Wednesday. Rain and thunderstorm chances will follow Thursday and Friday as a low-pressure system rolls by, keeping July heat at bay for a few more days. Temperatures are still toasty Tuesday afternoon with highs in the upper 80s and mostly sunny skies. Northerly breezes will filter in cooler air overnight with lows in the mid 60s by early Wednesday morning. Highs Wednesday afternoon will reach the low 80s with increasing clouds, northerly breezes, and a 20% chance of late day showers. Patchy haze and smoke will be possible Wednesday from wildfires in Canada, although major air quality issues are not anticipated.

Tracking late-week rain chances and mild air

In a process called subsidence, the air within an upper-level ridge sinks, compressing and warming as it does so. As pressure builds, temperatures rise, just like a pressure cooker.

A combination of high heat and humidity will make for a sweltering weekend across Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas, with feels like temperatures peaking between 105 and 115 degrees Saturday, Sunday, and likely Monday. A Heat Advisory has been issued across the region from Saturday afternoon through 8 p.m. Monday, July 27. Mostly sunny skies will accompany the late July heat wave, with light southerly breezes and highs in the mid to upper 90s through early next week. Overnight lows will only fall into the upper 70s to near 80 degrees through the Heat Advisory period, offering little relief with muggy air remaining in place.

Tracking mild, breezy and sunny weekend weather

Tracking a sunny and toasty start to the week

Hot and humid conditions Tuesday afternoon will give way to spotty rain and t-storm chances this evening, as a front pushes into Northwest Missouri and Nor

The heat index is a commonly used measure of apparent temperature that accounts for humidity when the mercury reaches 80 degrees or higher.

Tracking weekend heat and humidity, slight rain chances

Tracking hot and breezy days ahead