National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Finding a cool place outdoors the afternoon and early evening on Saturday, July 17th was near impossible across central and south central Nebraska and north central Kansas.  Afternoon highs peaked well into the 90s...and over 100 degrees in Kansas.  Dewpoint temperatures didn't trail too far behind...generally in the upper 70s to lower 80s at most locations.  This deadly combination of temperature and dew point provided Heat Index values reaching to 102 to 117 degrees across our region.  If the heat indices were not hot enough...a report from the National Weather Service Cooperative Observer near Plainville Kansas reported in late in the afternoon with an actual air temperature of 109 degrees.

The Heat Index combines the effects of heat and humidity and when heat and humidity combine to reduce the amount of evaporation of sweat from the body...outdoor work or exercise becomes dangerous even for those in good shape. 

Following is a listing of today's highest Heat Index values across our region...