Elmwood, Gallagher, Hitchcock and Zorinsky pools have been open all week under an extended schedule that will keep some pools open in all areas of Omaha through Labor Day.

The extension was announced in the midst of a searingly hot July. Private donors made it possible for the City of Omaha to keep pool gates open beyond the planned Aug. 12 shutdown - and to drop admission to $1 for adults and 25 cents for kids.

But after the donation was announced and after attendance increases were recorded in the middle of the season, a change in weather arrived. In fact, this week it has been turn-off-the-A/C, open-your-windows mild.

Midlands temperatures are expected to be lower than normal through most of the rest of August, according to the U.S. Climate Prediction Center. By Labor Day weekend, a return to normal - low to mid-80s in Omaha - and even higher than normal heat is expected.