The link is to the final St Louis and Columbia streak of days 90 and above: 27 at Columbia MO. The forecast had it in the mid 90s headed back up to the upper 90s, but a cold front snuck through and it only got to 88. It is forecast to be in the 100s for next 6 days. The exceptional warmth has been nearly constant since November in the heartland (and other parts of country), and that could be taken as disconcerting. But, some of the records for length of summer heat waves are from 1936, and 1934 is on the lists. I'm curious how much agricultural practices then affected the heat vs. it being all natural and the heat drove the dust bowl (if bad agricultural practices destroyed the soil, then soil would hold less moisture, less would go into plants and atmosphere, making it too dry for rain? (we have had rain come through the last couple of weeks but not so much makes it to the ground).

Chris

• extended heat waves