Starting on August 19, 2023 well-above normal temperatures impacted the central part of the United States, kicking off a heatwave that has not been experienced in the region in recent history. Kansas City International Airport reached high temperatures not recorded in the area since August of 2012. In contrast to the 2012 heatwave, this stretch of hot weather was accompanied by extremely high dewpoints, with frequently reached the upper 70s to middle 80s across the entire area. The combination of the extreme heat and the excessively high dewpoints led to heat indices from August 19 through August 25 to rise to 120-130 degrees. The hottest heat index in the area occurred in Lawrence, Kansas on the 20th and 21st, when it rose to 134 degrees.
Perhaps of note, the Topeka upper air program, which has sent radiosondes into the atmosphere twice per day since 1955 had only measured 6000 meters to the 500 millibar level two times in its history. During this heatwave Topeka measured 6000 meters to 500 mb on six straight launches, spanning three days. The highest 500 mb level measured out of Topeka for this stretch was 6030 meters, a testament to the extreme nature of this mid level ridge.

Heat in JOHNSON, KANSAS
From 19-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Extreme heat and humidity leading to excessively hot heat indices impacted Johnson County KS from August 19th through the 25th.
The daily max heat index at either Johnson County Executive (OJC) and New Century Air Center (IXD) are as follows:
August 19: 115
August 20: 122
August 21: 118
August 22: 118
August 23: 110
August 24: 109
August 25: 108.

Heat in LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS
From 19-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Extreme heat and humidity leading to excessively hot heat indices impacted Leavenworth County KS from August 19th through the 25th. Max heat indices ranged from 110 to 120+ degrees during this 7 day stretch.

Heat in LINN, KANSAS
From 19-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Extreme heat and humidity leading to excessively hot heat indices impacted Linn County KS from August 19th through the 25th. Max heat indices ranged from 110 to 120+ degrees during this 7 day stretch.

Heat in MIAMI, KANSAS
From 19-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Extreme heat and humidity leading to excessively hot heat indices impacted Miami County KS from August 19th through the 25th. Max heat indices ranged from 110 to 120+ degrees during this 7 day stretch.

Heat in WYANDOTTE, KANSAS
From 19-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Extreme heat and humidity leading to excessively hot heat indices impacted Wyandotte County KS from August 19th through the 25th. Max heat indices ranged from 110 to 120+ degrees during this 7 day stretch.

Heat in ATCHISON, KANSAS
From 19-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Extreme heat and humidity leading to excessively hot heat indices impacted Atchison County KS from August 19th through the 25th. Max heat indices ranged from 110 to 120+ degrees during this 7 day stretch.

Heat in DONIPHAN, KANSAS
From 19-AUG-23 12:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Extreme heat and humidity leading to excessively hot heat indices impacted Doniphan County KS from August 19th through the 25th. Max heat indices ranged from 110 to 120+ degrees during this 7 day stretch.