Jared Shelton

A memorable lightning show took place locally last week, when severe storms rolled one after the other just south of St. Joseph on Tuesday night, Aug. 18 and early Wednesday morning Aug. 19.

Partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies and low 80s Tuesday afternoon will give way to a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight through ear

One of the biggest changes that takes place in August is a rapid loss of daylight. Between later sunrises and earlier sunsets Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas lose over an hour of daylight throughout the month of August

A late-season heat wave is settling into Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas this weekend, as temperatures rise 10 to 15 degrees above average for several days in a row throughout the region. Persistent southerly winds at 15 to 25 mph will reinforce the hot and humid airmass, allowing highs to reach the mid to upper 90s through early next week. Heat index values will peak between 100 and 105 degrees each afternoon. Aside from a few passing clouds, rain chances will remain slim to none through the weekend, offering little to no relief from the heat.

A late summer heat wave will continue to bake Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas to finish out the weekend and start the work week. Afternoon high temperatures will reach the mid to upper 90s Sunday through Wednesday afternoon, with heat index values peaking in the triple digits each day. Mostly sunny and dry skies will also stick around, with light southerly breezes accompanying well above average temperatures for the next 48 to 72 hours. A Heat Advisory has been issued for much of Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kanas from 12 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31 through 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sep. 2.

Tracking intense heat and tons of sunshine

As of Friday, Sep. 5, St. Joseph has had 7 consecutive days of 95 + degree heat. As of Friday, Sep. 5, St. Joseph has had 7 consecutive days of 95 + degree heat. This number will likely continue rising, as a stagnant pattern remains anchored in place through the weekend and early next week. If the streak continues through Saturday, that would mark 8 days, the longest stretch of 95+ degree temperatures in St. Joseph since a 13-day scorcher in August of 2003.

Tracking intense heat and isolated t-storm chances

After a foggy and cooler start to Friday, sunny skies and mid 80s have made for a pleasant afternoon across Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. Dry conditions will continue overnight with passing clouds, lows in the mid 60s, and light southeast breezes. Scattered rain and thunderstorm chances will return to the region Saturday as a cold front passes through the Mid-Missouri River Valley. A few storms may be on the strong side with gusty winds and hail the primary hazards. Periods of sunshine can be expected between t-storms Saturday, with highs in the mid to upper 80s and heat index values in the low 90s. Rain chances will linger on Sunday, with considerable cloud coverage and cooler temperatures as highs top out near 80 degrees.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — After a lengthy late summer heat wave baked the Mid-Missouri River Valley for about 10 days or so, storms reappeared on the radar this