Some areas of Kansas could break records both today and tomorrow. Most of the state will eclipse records tomorrow. For good measure, strong wind is expected, with gusts to or even above 40mph a common occurrence. Humidity will be running about 20% west of I-35 and about 30% to the east. Very high to extreme fire danger is forecast.
Oh, and chances for severe weather are still in the forecast. (Matt will detail that later today.)
Risk 1: the Heat
Records and forecast highs for selected towns today and tomorrow (record forecast highs in bold):
| Record Oct 8 | Friday High | Record Oct 9 | Saturday High | |
| Hutchinson | 95 | 90 | 92 | 95 |
| Beloit | 93 | 87 | 91 | 90 |
| Emporia | 91 | 89 | 88 | 94 |
| Meade | 95 | 91 | 95 | 98 |
| Kingman | 100 | 92 | 94 | 96 |
| Coffeyville | 96 | 90 | 97 | 92 |
In southern Kansas it will be like mid-September, not early October for football tonight. Forecast kickoff (7pm) temp and 4th quarter (9pm) temp.
| Kickoff | 4th quarter | |
| Hutchinson | 87 | 77 |
| Hays | 79 | 72 |
| Abilene | 80 | 73 |
| Liberal | 83 | 75 |
| Pratt | 82 | 75 |
| Iola | 84 | 73 |
Risk 2: Grassland Fire
With recently-harvested fields and the warm-season grasses already going dormant, the available fuel for any wildfire is much higher now than a few weeks ago. Highs above 90 are expected across Kansas tomorrow, and much of the state will see gusty southwest wind at times at or just above 40mph. That means any fire that starts is likely to spread quickly. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for parts of the state.
Safety Tips
and then 