Heat wave ties longevity record

This year's heat wave tied a record for length this morning when the mercury climbed above 90 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport on its way to a predicted high of 99.

At about 11 a.m. the temperature stood at 93. Along with the heat, continued dry weather throughout the region has put many area counties under a "red flag" warning about the potential fire hazard caused by dry grass and underbrush, gusty winds and low humidity. The warning includes Union, Alexander and Massac counties in Southern Illinois as well as several counties in western Kentucky. No Missouri counties are included in the warning.

Today marks the 28th consecutive day with a temperature above 90, tieing the record set in August-September 1983.

Since July 26, when a high of 90 was recorded, the heat has set four records for daily high temperatures and the airport reading has reached 100 or above four times as well.

On 18 days, the temperature has exceeded 95, including a 17-day stretch from Aug. 2 through Saturday.

The heat wave has claimed one fatality in Cape Girardeau County. Last Wednesday, Analita Castellano, 81, of Indiana, died at Trail of Tears State Park where she had been camping with family.

The heat doesn't appear ready to release its grip on the region. With highs predicted to be 99 today and Thursday, the best chance for breaking the string will come this weekend, when a weak cool front will try to push through the area, said meteorologist Mike York with the National Weather Service office in Paducah, Ky.

The predicted high for Sunday is 89 degrees, but could go higher depending on whether clouds associated with the front linger throughout the day, York said.

"The cloud cover will be the key," York said. "If the cloud cover lasts most of the day, we will not hit 90 that day."

The heat will return at the beginning of the week, York said.

Along with the heat, Cape Girardeau airport has only recorded 0.01 inches of rain so far this month. Rains that have occurred have been spotty at best, York said.

"There definitely been more rain in the Ozark foothills area, along the current river and near Perryville," he said.

Dryer conditions prevail further south, and although no fire danger warning has been issued, York said people should be cautious.

Check back at www.semissourian.com for updates or read Thursday's Southeast Missourian.