Category: Weather

A heat advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. Tuesday for Wyandotte County, according to the National Weather Service.

Highs on Tuesday afternoon will reach the low to mid 90s, with humidity levels contributing to a heat index in the 100-to-105-degree range.

Three is also an air quality alert in effect for Tuesday. Ozone is the primary pollutant. People and businesses are asked to avoid activities which lead to ozone formation, including refueling vehicles, idling vehicles unnecessarily and using gasoline-powered lawn equipment. People are asked to carpool, bike to work, delay or combine errands and use water-based paints and cleaners.

The weather service says that those exposed to the dangerous heat and high humidity over a prolonged period have an increased risk of heat-related illnesses.

Cars may reach a lethal temperature in a matter of minutes. Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle, not even for a minute.

Residents are advised to seek cool and air-conditioned places today.

With increased pollution levels today, individuals should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity. People who are very young and the elderly are especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants.

The weather service said thunderstorms will be possible tonight through the region. Severe weather is not expected. There is a 20 percent chance of precipitation tonight and a 30 percent chance on Wednesday.

The Mid-America Regional Council Air Quality Program has issued an orange Ozone Alert for Tuesday, Aug. 26.

This alert indicates that an unhealthy level of ground-level ozone, also known as smog, is expected Tuesday in the Kansas City region.

Vehicle emissions are a major contributor to regional ozone pollution, a MARC spokesman said. Residents can help reduce pollution by carpooling or using public transportation, according to MARC.

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s Regional Call Center offers assistance in planning trips by bus. Contact the call center at 816-221-0660 weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The center provides route information for The Metro, The JO and Unified Government Transit. A trip planner is also available online at www.kcata.org. Most fares on regional buses are reduced to 75 cents on Ozone Alert days.

“Taking fewer trips in your car and choosing alternative forms of transportation, especially on Ozone Alert days, can help everyone breathe easier during the summer months,” said Amanda Graor, MARC air quality program manager. “Even small actions can make a difference.”

MARC issues the SkyCast, the region’s daily ozone season air quality forecast, on its website, www.marc.org, and on Twitter, www.twitter.com/airQKC. SkyCast information is also available via the air quality Facebook page, www.facebook.com/airQKC, and the information line at 913-383-7557.

A heat wave continues Monday as temperatures are expected to rise to 97 degrees, with a heat index as high as 102.

A heat advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Aug. 25, according to the National Weather Service.

After a very hot Monday, temperatures may decrease slightly on Tuesday, the weather service said. Tuesday’s high may be 95, and Wednesday’s high may be 92.

The next chance for thunderstorms is Tuesday night, with rain chances extending into Thursday night. Severe weather risk is low at this time.

The Kansas City area is on the edge of an area that could pick up a quarter to a half-inch of rain through Wednesday. The rains could either hit or miss Kansas City, Kan. Areas to the south of the state’s northern border could just receive a few tenths of an inch of rain.