A large ridge of high pressure aloft set up over the center of the country around August 20th, leading to a week-long heatwave across western Kentucky. High temperatures were primarily only in the low to mid 90s most days, but the main headline was the extreme humidity levels witnessed over the entirety of this event. Portions of the region experienced very heavy rainfall amounts of 15 to 25 inches from July 1st through mid August. This set the stage for record levels of evapotranspiration from the vegetation and crops. Dew points, a measure of humidity levels, were routinely in the upper 70's to lower 80's, with several locations peaking in the mid 80's. Paducah tied its highest dew point on record of 82 degrees. This caused heat index readings to peak between 105 and 120 degrees each day from August 20th through the 25th. The high humidity levels also led to dense fog formation several nights during this event, which was rather unusual for a prolonged heat wave. The highest hourly heat index readings at Paducah were 108 on the 20th, 110 on the 21st, 111 on the 22nd, 114 on the 23rd, 113 on the 24th, and 117 on the 25th. For those same dates, the highest readings at Madisonville were 102, 108, 107, 107, 112, and 115 respectively. Many schools cancelled outdoor activities or moved them indoors, including football practices.

Excessive Heat in MUHLENBERG, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in TODD, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in GRAVES, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in HENDERSON, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in WEBSTER, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in HICKMAN, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in TRIGG, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in HOPKINS, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in LYON, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in UNION, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in MCLEAN, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in BALLARD, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in CALDWELL, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in LIVINGSTON, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in CALLOWAY, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in CARLISLE, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in CHRISTIAN, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in CRITTENDEN, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in MARSHALL, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in MCCRACKEN, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in DAVIESS, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Excessive Heat in FULTON, KENTUCKY
From 20-AUG-23 11:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS