Timing of Arrival of Cooler Temperatures in the Central U.S.

The Plains and the Midwest are already feeling the relief from the heat as a cool front is making its way across the central and eastern U.S. this week. Read on for a more detailed look at the timing of the cooler air sweeping across much of the country over the last week of August.

Central U.S. First to Experience Fall-Like Weather

The nation's heartland was the first part of the U.S. to feel the relief provided by a far-reaching cool front. By the end of the week, the mass of cooler temperatures will push to the East Coast and down into the South, providing a break from the summer heat for millions of Americans.

Late August is typically a time of the year when summer is hanging on for dear life. This will not be the case this week when a refreshing blast of cool air will infiltrate from west to east. Those in the path of the cool front can look forward to the coolest temperature readings in months, signaling that fall is on the way.

The cool front is forecast to move at a slow pace, pushing through the northern and central U.S. to start the new week. Rain showers and thunderstorms are predicted to fire up along the frontal boundary as cooler air swaps places with the warm and humid air currently hovering over much of the region.

While some of the storm cells could turn volatile at times, forecasters are not anticipating a widespread outbreak of severe weather. Regardless, you will want to keep an eye on the hourly forecast as the cool front pushes through your area if you have outdoor plans.

An influx of drier and cooler air will come in behind the frontal boundary. How much relief can you expect? The latest forecast models indicate that the mercury may fall up to 25 degrees below the historical average for the Plains and the Midwest in the days ahead.

Monday's Forecast Calls for Widespread Highs in the 60s and 70s

Although the temperatures began slipping in some places by the end of the weekend, Monday's change will feel the most dramatic for the bulk of the Plains, the Midwest, and the Ohio Valley. The temperatures are expected to top out in the 60s and 70s as people head back to work and many communities celebrate the first day of school.

For instance, Cleveland will struggle to climb out of the upper 60s beginning on Monday. It will be even chillier on Friday with a forecast high of just 63 degrees. The greatest chance of rain in the city along the banks of Lake Erie will be on Tuesday morning. Winds will also pick up at this time, coming in at 10 to 20 mph.

Rainy and stormy conditions could be an issue for portions of Kansas and Oklahoma. It will be a dreary Monday in Oklahoma City with rainfall amounting to about a half of an inch during the day and another half of an inch tacked on overnight. The clouds will keep the temperatures in the upper 60s for a high reading on Monday. The chance of rain will persist into early Tuesday in Oklahoma City, adding another quarter of an inch of moisture to the total to start the week.

Tuesday's Temperatures Continue to Fall

While most residents will notice the cooler daytime hours, it will be the overnight lows that could approach record territory. Omaha could set a new overnight low record on Tuesday night and into Wednesday with a forecast of 50 degrees. It will be nearly as cool in Kansas City with a forecast low in the mid to upper 50s.

Wednesday's forecast is calling for the rain to push to the east along with the front. Kansas City will get caught in the crosshairs of the moisture machine later in the day and into the overnight hours. The metro area that straddles both Kansas and Missouri is anticipating about a quarter of an inch of rainfall out of this system.

The south-central U.S. will also get in on some of the cooling action. For instance, highs in Little Rock could max out in the low to mid 70s this week.

The long-range forecast is calling for the cooler weather pattern to persist through the end of the week. Temperatures will begin to rebound to normal levels in the central Plains and the Midwest just in time for the Labor Day weekend.

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