Fall in KC: Probably warmer and wetter
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Cooler KC temperatures feel like a relief after so many 90-degree days, but fall forecasts still expect above-normal temperatures for the region.
Why it matters: It's part of recent fall trends in KC, plus the El Niño weather pattern causing higher temperatures and more storms across the U.S.
The big picture: The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center says Kansas City has a 33% to 40% chance of above average temperatures October through December, per a forecast released Thursday.
- It's the same likelihood for above-average precipitation, which for us likely means rain through December.
What they're saying: "El Nino has its biggest impact on Kansas City weather in the winter months," which can include late fall, Spencer Mell, a meteorologist at the NWS Kansas City office, tells Axios.
- As for the wetter weather, that's less to do with El Niño and more along the lines of recent trends, he says.
Zoom in: At least we can say bye-bye to highs in the 90s, FOX4 meteorologist Joe Lauria writes in his weather blog.
- We'll probably see more 80-degree days, but there's a roughly 1% chance of a 90-degree day in October, based on temperature data going back to 2000.
Fun fact: The fall equinox is actually a time — 7:05pm Tuesday, to be exact — when the sun crosses the celestial equator southward, giving equal time to the day and the night.
What's next: Expect highs in the low to mid-70s this week, a low in the mid-50s on Wednesday and showers Thursday and Friday.