September arrives next week. Salina's weather apparently has other plans.

Anyone hoping the end of August would bring an early taste of fall may need to wait a little longer.

The National Weather Service in Wichita is forecasting another stretch of significant heat for Salina, with temperatures climbing from around 91 degrees Friday to 97 Saturday and 100 Sunday. Labor Day is currently forecast around 97, followed by about 96 Tuesday.

So, while September may be approaching on the calendar, summer isn't finished with Salina just yet.

A Front Is Out There — Just Not Here

There is a frontal boundary in the forecast, but current projections don't bring much relief to Salina.

NWS forecasters expect the boundary to stall primarily across the northwestern half of Kansas as a strong upper-level ridge settles over the south-central United States.

The result is expected to be a prolonged period of near-triple-digit or triple-digit temperatures this weekend and through much of next week — possibly longer.

There is at least one bit of good news: forecasters expect relatively lower dew points at times, which could keep the heat from feeling quite as oppressive as it otherwise might.

Still, anyone waiting for the first crisp fall afternoon probably shouldn't put the sweatshirt by the front door just yet.

But Fall Is Winning the Long Game

The forecast may look like July, but Salina's climate numbers tell a different story.

September brings one of the more noticeable temperature transitions of the year.

At the beginning of the month, Salina's typical daily high is around 88 degrees, with an overnight low around 66. By the end of September, those numbers have fallen to approximately 77 and 54 degrees.

The amount of daylight is changing quickly, too.

On Sept. 1, sunset in Salina will be around 8 p.m., giving the city almost exactly 13 hours of daylight.

By Sept. 30, sunset arrives around 7:14 p.m., and the day has shortened to approximately 11 hours and 49 minutes. That's more than an hour of daylight lost in a single month.

Shorter days mean less solar heating, and eventually even a stubborn Kansas summer has to give up.

So When Does It Actually Get Cold?

Probably not anytime soon.

National Weather Service climate records show Salina's typical window for the first fall temperature of 32 degrees or colder is Oct. 12 through Oct. 28.

But Kansas weather always leaves room for surprises.

The earliest fall freeze recorded in Salina occurred Sept. 20, 1918, when the temperature reached 32 degrees or colder.

So yes, fall is coming.

The days are getting shorter. Average temperatures are dropping. Cooler mornings aren't far away.