Iowa
Record-high temperatures expected to plague Iowa amid heat wave this week
Cedar Rapids is projected to break historical temperature highs this week as a dangerous heat wave sears through much of the central U.S.
The National Weather Service Quad Cities bureau reported hot and humid conditions are plaguing its coverage area, stretching from Eastern Iowa to western Illinois, through Thursday. Ambient air temperatures will reach up to 100 degrees. Combined with high dew points, that will make afternoon temperatures feel like 100 to 115 degrees.
The NWS Quad Cities bureau issued an excessive heat warning — the top heat-related warning — for its coverage area on Monday morning and extended it through 8 p.m. Thursday. It is the second such warning issued for Cedar Rapids this summer. The first was issued July 27.
The entire state of Iowa is currently under an excessive heat warning.
“It’s pretty common in July and August to see at least one or two heat advisories or warnings being issued,” said meteorologist Tim Gross of the Quad Cities bureau. “It is unusual that the entire state is (under a heat warning) all at once at this time.”
The meteorological reason behind the heat wave is similar to that behind the heat dome that trapped much of the nation in late July. There’s a high-pressure air mass currently centered over southern Iowa that encompasses most of the central U.S. It’s trapping hot summer air underneath, scorching communities.
The heat wave will likely bring the hottest temperatures of the year to Eastern Iowa. It may also break historical records in Cedar Rapids and beyond.
The record high in Cedar Rapids for Aug. 23 is currently 99 degrees in 1947 and 100 degrees for Aug. 24 in 1947. Ambient air temperatures for this Wednesday and Thursday are expected to reach 101 degrees.
The last time Cedar Rapids hit 100 degrees was Aug. 30, 2013.
The most extreme conditions are expected to come Wednesday afternoon. Conditions in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City may feel like 115 degrees. They may creep even hotter elsewhere in the state. Feels-like temperatures in Fort Madison, for instance, could reach 118 degrees.
There will be little to no relief of the heat overnight, when temperatures won’t get below 70 degrees over the next few nights.
The high-pressure system is projected to break down from Thursday night into Friday, Gross said.
Record-high energy demand
Sweltering weather means more reliance on air conditioning and electricity. That may drive energy demands in Iowa and beyond to near-record peaks this week, challenging the strength the power grid.
Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO, manages Iowa’s energy along with that of 14 other states and a Canadian province.
Earlier this week, it announced it expected the highest energy demands of the year to begin Monday. Record-high peaks could follow on Wednesday and Thursday, with current projections exceeding 128 gigawatts. MISO’s current all-time system peak of 127 gigawatts was set on July 20, 2011.
“We anticipate challenging operating conditions throughout the entire week, and we will need every available resource at some point,” said Jessica Lucas, MISO’s executive director of system operations, in a Monday news release. “We have issued several alerts and advisories based on the weather forecast. More emergency procedures may be required to keep the power flowing. That’s typical for a weather event like this.”
MISO announced conservative operating conditions, which warn of the potential for emergency operations, ahead of the extreme heat. It also issued a hot weather alert and a capacity advisory, which alert member utilities and neighboring grid operators to expect tight energy supply conditions. They are effective until late Thursday but may be extended or escalated if necessary.
Some utilities have agreements with customers that curtail their energy usage during times of extreme demand, lessening the strain on the overall power grid.
College Community and Linn-Mar school districts said their energy providers likely will reduce energy usage in their buildings because of the extreme demand throughout the area. Both districts have announced a three-hour early dismissal Wednesday and Thursday, the first two days of the school year.
Cancellations and cooling centers
The dangerous heat wave has prompted a flurry of schedule changes for outdoor events in Eastern Iowa.
Taste of Iowa City, an annual culinary street event hosted by the Iowa City Downtown District, is postponing the popular celebration due to this week’s excessive heat forecast. Originally set for Aug. 23, it will now be held on Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 4 to 8 p.m.
This week’s Marion Uptown Getdown, a summer series of live music every Thursday night, has been pushed to Aug. 31. The final concert will feature Boot Jack Band from 6 to 9 p.m. and country favorites.
Jazz 88.3 KCCK-FM, a local public radio station owned by Kirkwood Community College, is moving its Jazz Under The Stars event indoors to the Olympic Southside Theater. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the free show will feature Young Artists Nexus Brass and The Busch Brothers Horns.
“In 35 years of concerts, this is our first ‘heat-out,’” said Dennis Green, KCCK General Manager, in a news release. “But with 100+ degree weather predicted, it was the only logical decision.”
Amid the dangerous heat, the NWS Quad Cities bureau advises residents to:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
- Take frequent breaks in air conditioning or in the shade.
- Stay out of the sun. If you must be in the sun, wear sunscreen and a hat.
- Check on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly, sick and those without air conditioning.
- Never leave kids or pets in a parked car.
- Reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
There are heat relief facilities available for residents in both Linn and Johnson counties, where they can find air conditioning and other resources.
In Johnson County, Coralville and North Liberty have posted their cooling centers on their respective city websites.
Linn County posts its heat relief locations, and other heat-related information, on its website: https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/707/Heat-Relief.
Brittney J. Miller is the Energy & Environment Reporter for The Gazette and a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.
Comments: (319) 398-8370; brittney.miller@thegazette.com