by John McLaughlin
Community Newsman
I don’t have to tell you that it’s been hot—dang hot, if I were to offer the polite version of what my mouth spews each time I step outside of late.
These aren’t just the dog days of summer. The heat coming into September has been serious, actually record-breaking.
The National Weather Service office in Wichita says the area hit 100 degrees during each of the first eight days of the month, breaking the previous September record of six days, set in 2000.
And after officially marking a nearly 50-day run of 90-degree-plus days on Sept. 8, the NWS also forecast that 100-degree-plus temperatures could still linger through at least Sept. 9, before settling back into the 90s, just as the Kansas State Fair starts.
This string of scorching heat and dry weather, just as farmers ramp up harvesting efforts for corn, sorghum and soybeans, has some serious implications for Kansas’ No. 1 industry: agriculture.
Farming is no doubt hard work, and this weather only makes it tougher. So I don’t take for granted the work occurring right now in Kansas’ more than 45 million acres of farmland.
It’s common advice during summer months, too, for us to be on the lookout for our more vulnerable residents. Heat like this kills even fit athletes—every year.
As we’re struck with unseasonably hot weather this month, look out for your people and others who might be suffering during this last stretch of summer temperatures. The worst can happen quickly for someone who’s overheating.
Thankfully, however, cooler temperatures are drawing nearer.
The NWS says the first day below 70 degrees typically hits the area between Sept. 13 and 23, the latest being Oct. 20, 1963. The agency says the first day below 60 degrees typically hits between Oct. 5 to 15, with the latest being Nov. 12, 2016.
Whatever the case may be, stay cool out there as we finally approach cooler weather.
John McLaughlin is a general assignment reporter for The Hutchinson Tribune. He can be reached at john@hutchtribune.com.