--- title: Dangerous heat wave to scorch center of the country description: Businesses and residents across the central and southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley will see sweltering heat for several days starting this weekend. image: https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/Heat%20central%20US.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/dangerous-heatwave-to-scorch-center-of-the-country#main-content) [![accuweather-business-white-01](https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/Website/accuweather-business-white-01.svg "accuweather-business-white-01")](https://afb.accuweather.com/) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) Learn & Support [Overview](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [![accu-winter-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-winter-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-winter-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) Webinar [Take the Worry out of Winter: Risk Mitigation](https://afb.accuweather.com/webinar-winter-risk-mitigation-services) [![accu-hurricane-events](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website/accu-hurricane-events.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=accu-hurricane-events.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) Blog [How your business can help without becoming a victim](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/hurricane-relief-tips-how-your-business-can-help-without-becoming-a-victim) - [Let's Get Started](https://afb.accuweather.com/lets-get-started) - [Learn & Support](https://afb.accuweather.com/learn-support) - [Case Studies](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/case-studies) - [Webinars](https://www.accuweather.com/en/blogs-webinars/welcome-to-accuweathers-webinar-hub/1692349) - [Press Releases](https://corporate.accuweather.com/newsroom/press-releases/) - [Blog](https://www.accuweather.com/en/news/blogs-webinars) [Home](https://afb.accuweather.com/)  /  [Featured](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/featured)  /  [Webinars](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/webinars)  /  [Weather Now](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/weather-now)  /  [Preparation](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/tag/preparation) # Dangerous heat wave to scorch center of the country Posted by [Adrianne Burke](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/author/adrianne-burke) on Sep 16, 2022 ![](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Heat%20central%20US.jpg?width=1200&height=628&name=Heat%20central%20US.jpg) Summary ## Businesses and residents across the central and southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley will see sweltering heat for several days starting this weekend. Key Highlights #### Threats: Above-normal temperatures, heat-related illness, poor air quality, power outages, wildfire risk #### States affected: OK, AR, KS, MS, MO, NE #### When: Saturday, September 17 - Friday, September 23 ## **Dangerous Scorching Heat** It will feel more like July than September for millions across the south-central U.S. as temperatures reach 10-20 degrees above average for five to seven days starting this weekend. Stifling heat will be felt in parts of the central and southern Plains and the lower Mississippi Valley. The sweltering temperatures could break records from Sunday to Tuesday as they climb to the 90s and 100s. Building heat and humidity combined with light winds and sunshine will make for dangerous conditions for people spending time outdoors. High school and college athletes could be particularly at risk, especially during practice sessions next week when the heat wave is going to peak. Steering winds will carry smoke from wildfires across the western U.S. to portions of the area in the coming days. Those in these areas will see a hazy appearance. ![page-1](https://afb.accuweather.com/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/page-1.htm)![SmokySkies](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/page-Sep-16-2022-03-06-49-02-PM.jpg?width=1920&name=page-Sep-16-2022-03-06-49-02-PM.jpg)Businesses in the area need to keep a close eye on this heat wave and should: - Severe pollution and extreme heat can contribute to air travel delays, shipment disruptions and trigger operational regulations. - Heat-related illnesses for those that work outdoors should be top of mind. - Plan for poor outdoor air quality to have a negative impact on job performance indoors and outdoors. AccuWeather’s unique tools like Wildfire Proximity Alerts and air pollution forecast powered by [Plume Labs](https://www.accuweather.com/en/press/accuweather-plume-labs-partnership-to-put-users-of-popular-free-app-in-more-control-of-their-health-and-wellbeing/661871) ensure you get the vital information you need to avoid dangerous conditions. ### **Be prepared—partner with our experts.** Protect your business from the dangers of wildfire season. Stay alert and be prepared with AccuWeather. [Register](https://afb.accuweather.com/en-us/resources/webinars/2022-wildfire-2?utm_campaign=Q2%20Historical%20Data&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--kUTZfcs6TqRYkyti06DmnIc6IG0UQu6L-fEuSCuMskzlVcM3QX6kwLdNZ1B-7A5TUlznAPUfthzqNy_JAQNcWYe1LLHwrX0KOVlK5UJr2ILoV0q4&_hsmi=2&utm_content=2&utm_source=hs_email&hsCtaTracking=27730ea2-9e19-40e7-8803-8403f169d472%7Cc6944666-954e-4147-afa1-0c000b6657bc#form) now for our 9/21 wildfire season update webinar. Join our lead On-Air Meteorologist, Geoff Cornish, for a look at the 2022 wildfire season forecast. Plus, is your business ready to face a wildfire? Implementation Manager Thomas Bedard will preview the new tools AccuWeather For Business has developed to ensure you have the latest warnings at your fingertips, helping your organization plan for and stay ahead of dangerous conditions.    ## Fill out this form and we will send you a free sample of our historical data. Get ready to learn how it can help your organization. ## The latest from AccuWeather For Business [![flood map](https://afb.accuweather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Flood%20risk-Aug-08-2022-09-45-25-95-AM.jpg?width=506&height=265&name=Flood%20risk-Aug-08-2022-09-45-25-95-AM.jpg)](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/flooding-rains-return-to-already-hard-hit-midwest) ### [Flooding rains return to already hard-hit Midwest](https://afb.accuweather.com/blog/flooding-rains-return-to-already-hard-hit-midwest) Hard-hit once again? 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