Heat Wave Could Bring Down Daily Record Highs in Plains and Beyond

Daily record highs could be challenged in the Mississippi Valley and the Plains over the next few days as a September heat wave rolls over the nation's mid-section. Here is a closer look at how warm it will get heading into next week.

September Heat Wave Building Across the Plains and the Mississippi Valley

Temperature records that have stood since the 1930s could fall in the days ahead as the mercury soars throughout the Plains and into the Mississippi Valley. Not only will the temperatures be uncomfortable, but the weather pattern will trigger worsening drought conditions and potentially present problems for the barge transport system along the Mississippi River as water levels drop.

The heat wave will form as a result of a pairing of an area of high pressure set up over the central U.S. and a storm coming down from the Rockies. You can expect temperatures to hit levels that are 15 to 20 degrees above the historical average for the middle of September. Temperatures could approach the century mark during the peak of the heat wave.

A number of major metro areas in the central U.S. could potentially see new records this weekend. These include Des Moines, St. Louis, and Omaha. For instance, St. Louis is forecast to see a high of 96 degrees on Saturday. This would come close to matching the 100-degree record dating back to 1939.

Moving to the north, the zone from the Dakotas and Minnesota and into the Great Lakes will see clouds that help to trim the heat. The temperatures will top out in the 80s in cities such as Minneapolis and Chicago. While this is not as toasty as what the region to the south will experience, it will still be at least 10 degrees over the norm for this time of the year.

A storm ejecting out of the Rockies will bring along a cool front into the Plains later in the weekend and into the beginning of next week, working to bring down the mercury at this time. However, the heat dome will simply shift farther to the east, bringing the Ohio Valley and the Gulf Coast into the zone of unseasonably warm temperatures. Highs of at least 90 degrees or greater are on tap for this region for up to one week.

Forecasters are warning that the rising temperatures will combine with light winds to allow pollutants to remain stagnant in the atmosphere. This will translate to the likelihood of poor air quality conditions. Those with sensitivities will want to keep an eye on the air quality next week before heading outside for a prolonged time.