Upper Midwest to See Record-high Temperatures

Forecasters predict record-high temperatures in the north-central United States through the weekend and into the first week of October. This is excellent news for people who want some more time to enjoy their favorite activities and farmers who need their corn to dry out to the right level of humidity so that they can harvest it, but it can be bad news as it may worsen the drought.

How Hot Will It Get?

Forecasters believe the heatwave will spread throughout Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota and North Dakota.

Iowa

Temperatures in Des Moines, Iowa, reached 92 on Saturday, 91 on Sunday and 88 on Monday before dipping a little on Wednesday. The record high for Saturday in Des Moines was 92 degrees in 1952.

On October 1, the city set a record high of 92 degrees in 1976; on October 2, the previous record high was 92 degrees in 1953. High temperatures in Des Moines for this time of year should be close to 71 degrees. The highest temperature recorded in Des Moines was 113 on August 8, 1934. The city set a daily record high on September 29, 2023.

Nebraska

Omaha will also see near-record highs over the weekend and early next week. Forecasters expect temperatures to reach 94 degrees on Saturday, 91 on Sunday and 90 on Monday before dipping back to a more seasonable 70 degrees on Wednesday.

The average high temperature for the end of September and the first part of October in Omaha is 72 degrees. The city's highest temperature ever for September 30 in Omaha was 93 degrees in 1994, while the highest temperature on October 1 was 94 degrees set in 1976 and 91 degrees for October 2, which was set in 2006. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Omaha was 110 degrees on July 21, 1974.

Minnesota

The average daily high temperature for September 30 in Minneapolis is 65 degrees. Yet, forecasters are predicting 84 degrees on Saturday, 88 on Sunday and 86 on Monday before temperatures finally drop to 70 degrees on Wednesday as a rainstorm hits the city.

The record high for Minneapolis was 87 degrees on September 30, with the record being set in 1897. The hottest temperature for October 1 was 87 degrees set in the same year, and the hottest temperature for October 2 was 89 degrees set in 1953. The hottest day recorded in Minneapolis in October was 90 degrees set in 1997.

Therefore, all of these records may fall over the next few days. The hottest day in Minneapolis was 105 degrees on July 30, 1988.

North Dakota

People in Fargo, North Dakota, where daily highs should be about 65 degrees, may wonder what happened this weekend as forecasters call for 78 degrees on Saturday, 89 degrees on Sunday and 87 degrees on Monday.

The highest temperature recorded on September 30 and October 1 in the city was 90 degrees, while the hottest temperature recorded on October 2 was 89 degrees. Residents endured 114 degrees on July 6, 1936, the highest temperature ever recorded in the city.

South Dakota

If you want to escape the heat, do not head to Sioux Falls. Forecasters expect temperatures to reach 89 degrees on Saturday, 90 on Sunday and 87 on Monday. Relief may arrive on Tuesday when temperatures are expected to rise to 74 degrees, and Wednesday's high should be 61 degrees.

Highs on September 30 are usually near 68 degrees, while the hottest ever recorded was 90 degrees, so residents will be watching the thermometer. On October 1, the highest temperature ever recorded was 91 degrees, while on October 2, the hottest ever recorded was 92 degrees. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Sioux Falls was 110 °F on June 21, 1988.

Missouri

Records may also fall in Kansas City over the weekend as forecasters expect the thermometer to reach 92 degrees on Saturday and Sunday and 91 degrees on Monday.

Temperatures in Kansas City average 73 degrees on September 30, and the highest temperature ever recorded on that day was 90 degrees. The highest temperature ever recorded on October 1 was 94 degrees, while the thermometer reached 92 degrees once on October 2.

While some residents are looking forward to record high temperatures for the second time in September 2023, others are wishing that fall would hurry up and return temperatures to more normal temperatures. The near-record temperatures will do nothing to stop the drought that is already widespread across the area.

Authorities urge people to plan outdoor activities in the early morning and later in the evening to ensure they stay hydrated. Be sure to take care of pets by bringing them indoors or ensuring they have shade and water. More seasonable temperatures may arrive across the Midwest by Wednesday.