Watch NBC Action News HD this weekend from 8-9 a.m. at 5 p.m. and after the Olympics for the most accurate forecast in Kansas City!
A few showers are moving through far northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri early this morning(Sunday). The area of rain to the west will likely weaken and just some clouds will push through the metro this morning. The rain will have a very hard time moving east since drier air continues to slowly work into the area. We'll be tracking the rain on NBC Action News Today beginning at 8 a.m.!
After a dreary start Saturday turned out to be another great summer day! Thunderstorms were numerous early this morning, but like many rain chances it was all or nothing for many. A huge thank you to the best bloggers in the business for sending along your rain totals. I always try to mix things up so if you don't see your total on one newscast make sure to check out NBC Action Weather Plus. Here is a list of rain totals from early Saturday.
- Weston, MO 2.75"
- I-29 & 64th 1.55"
- Smithville, MO 1.50"
- Easton, MO 1.50"
- Trimble, MO 1.41"
- Kansas City, KS 1.10"
- KCI Airport 0.97"
- Central Jefferson County 0.78"
- St. Joseph, MO 0.75"-1.89"
- 99th & Lowell - Overland Park 0.74"
- Springdale, KS 0.72"
- 119th & Pflumm - Olathe 0.70"
- SE Leavenworth County 0.50"
- 87th & Metcalf - Overland Park 0.29"
- I-70 & Blue Ridge 0.20"
- Paola, KS 0.19"
- Drexel, MO 0.02"
- Grain Valley 'A sprinkle'
I did some number crunching this evening to compare where we stand this August compared to one year ago. Also, how this summer compares to last summer. Once August is completed we will look at many locations within the viewing area in regards to precipitation and temperatures. For today I will just crunch the KCI numbers.
Let's start with the August comparison at KCI Airport. First a look at rainfall from August 1-23 So far the first 23 days of the month look pretty close for both years.
August 2007 2008
1-23 0.92"(-1.63") 1.19"(-1.36")
Now here is a look at the temperature data in regards to departure from average. 2007 is for the entire month, while the 2008 data is thru August 22.
August 2007 2008
+6.3 -1.8
In 2007 June(-0.4) & July(-1.1) had below average temperatures, with August being well above average. So far this summer temperatures have been below average. Outside of the August departure from average number, June finished +0.2 and July was cooler at -1.4.
Finally, let's compare rainfall totals from last summer to this summer. Once again remember there was a big difference between southern areas which stayed very wet in June & July versus areas north of I-70.
June 1 to August 23
2007 6.07" (-4.38")
2008 12.13" (+0.73")
Barring some crazy change in the final week of August it appears that the summer of 2008 will have cooler than average temperatures. Precipitation will likely be close to average at KCI, but this will depend on the possible rainfall later this week. Once again I'll look at several spots in our viewing area once 'Meteorological Summer' concludes on August 31.
The cold front that helped to produce the thunderstorms early Saturday pushed south of Kansas City and remains well to the south this evening. A few t-storms could develop overnight, but should stay west or northwest of the metro. Drier air will work into the region on Sunday and dew points should drop back into the 50s by Sunday evening/night. Waking up Monday morning lows should be in the upper 50s...more free air conditioning on the way!
Here is a look at the 8 p.m. surface observations. Notice the dry air to the north and the really humid stuff pushing south. Our surface winds are generally northeast or east and this will keep the humidity at bay over the next several days.
Tomorrow we will talk about the warm-up that will likely arrive later this coming week. A run to or above 90 will be possible. So far there have only been 5 days this month in the 90s. Only two times in the weather records of Kansas City have we gone '90 free' during the month of August. That was in 1950 & 1915.
Have a great end to the weekend on Sunday! Don't forget that the Olympics will come to an end with the closing ceremony on Sunday evening. Our late newscasts will be starting at 10 p.m. once again beginning Sunday Night - August 24.
Jeremy