Brian Neben, NRG Media
GRAND ISLAND — Amid the ongoing heat wave, Grand Island broke the record high on Saturday, Aug. 19. There will be several more days of dangerous heat before relief arrives toward the end of the work week.
The Grand Island Central Nebraska Regional Airport reached 104 degrees on Saturday, which broke the record temperature for the day.
The former record was 102 degrees, set on Aug. 19, 1938, according to the National Weather Service – Hastings.
It was also the hottest August temperature in Grand Island in 17 years, since the mercury reached 104 degrees on Aug. 1, 2006.
It was also noted on Saturday morning that the temperature only dropped down to 74 degrees, which tied the existing Aug. 19 record for the warmest low temperature.
The last record warm low had been set in 1983.
NWS Hastings noted that both Grand Island and Hastings have a chance of achieving a rare four-consecutive day stretch of 100-degree heat between Monday, Aug. 21 and Thursday, Aug. 24.
Both sites registered three straight 100-degree days last month, July 26-28.
The last time Grand Island had at least four consecutive days of 100-degree heat four days in 2012, July 21-24.
Hastings recorded five days in the hundreds in 1995, July 11-15.
Either an Excessive Heat Warning or a Heat Advisory will be in effect for the whole NWS Hastings warning area from Monday afternoon through Wednesday evening.
“Heat index values will generally range from near 100 degrees to over 110 degrees today and near 100 degrees to 107 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday,” per NWS Hastings.
The large upper ridge that has been dominating the central United States for the past several days will flatten out somewhat on Thursday as an upper-level trough moves over southern Canada and North Dakota.
A cold front is expected to push into Nebraska on Thursday. Temperatures are still expected to heat up into the triple digits across most of the area on Thursday, according to NWS Hastings.
Rain and storm chances will increase with the arrival of this front Thursday evening.
The front will continue to push through the area on Friday and bring some relief as high temperatures will only range from the mid-80s to upper 90s.
“Rain and storm chances will continue across portions of the area through the weekend. Overnight low temperatures will mostly be in the 60s after the front moves through the area,” per NWS Hastings.