The Summer Heat Makes Itself Known

The temperature at MidWestOne Bank shows 93 degrees at shortly after 2 pm on Monday

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The summer sun was cranked up on Monday with high temps in the area being in the low 90’s.

The National Weather Service earlier in the day said it would be hot, with near record temperatures. They expected the heat index to be from 95 to 105 during the afternoon.

A quick drive by Edmundson Pool showed, as expected, it to be busy, but amazingly the staff says the busiest time so far this year was during the Memorial Day weekend, where nearly 450 people took advantage of the pool.

Kayla Scholtus said, “Way too hot for me! It’s going to dry up all the nice rain we just had! We need cooler air for our grass to grow!” But others, like Kelli Breuklander, who enjoy the heat said, “I love it!!!! If it weren’t for the wind, it would be a PERFECT day for a motorcycle ride!!”

Breuklander wasn’t alone, Chad Albert had a similar thought, “I think it’s a great day out. It’s just another day of the great Iowa weather.”

The heat isn’t the only weather related story, as Ottumwa is cleaning up yet from the storm that swept through Saturday afternoon. Even now, nearly 650 residents are still without power on a day when summer is making itself known.

Mahaska County United Way has put out the call for fans. “Do you have a fan that you don’t use and would consider donating? There are many in our community who cannot afford air conditioning and could use some help. If you have a fan to donate, please consider dropping it off at our office or at Love INC, located in the same building. We are already receiving requests with this hot weather, and there is a waiting list!”