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 PLATTE, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat index at Kansas City International Airport were as follows:
August 19, 2023: 121
August 20, 2023: 120
August 21, 2023: 122
August 22, 2023: 114
August 23, 2023: 116
August 24, 2023: 110
August 25, 2023: 112.

Heat in ATCHISON, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in BATES, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in DAVIESS, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in DE KALB, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in JOHNSON, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in LAFAYETTE, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in RANDOLPH, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in RAY, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in CLAY, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat index at Kansas City Downtown Airport were as follows:
August 19, 2023: 119
August 20, 2023: 117
August 21, 2023: 122
August 22, 2023: 116
August 23, 2023: 113
August 24, 2023: 113
August 25, 2023: 112.

Heat in JACKSON, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat index at Lee's Summit Airport (LXT) were as follows:
August 19, 2023: 112
August 20, 2023: 121
August 21, 2023: 114
August 22, 2023: 114
August 23, 2023: 110
August 24, 2023: 110
August 25, 2023: 110.

Heat in CALDWELL, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in CARROLL, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in GENTRY, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in GRUNDY, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in LINN, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in LIVINGSTON, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in SALINE, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in SCHUYLER, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in BUCHANAN, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat index at St. Joseph Airport (STJ) were as follows:
August 19, 2023: 121
August 20, 2023: 120
August 21, 2023: 122
August 22, 2023: 119
August 23, 2023: 119
August 24, 2023: 112
August 25, 2023: 115.

Heat in ADAIR, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat index at Kirksville Regional Airport (IRK) were as follows:
August 19, 2023: 100
August 20, 2023: 114
August 21, 2023: 105
August 22, 2023: 110
August 23, 2023: 111
August 24, 2023: 112
August 25, 2023: 110.

Heat in CASS, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in CHARITON, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in HARRISON, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in HENRY, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in MACON, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in MERCER, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in SULLIVAN, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in WORTH, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in PETTIS, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat index at Sedalia Regional Airport (DMO) in east central Pettis County were as follows:
August 19, 2023: 108
August 20, 2023: 121
August 21, 2023: 116
August 22, 2023: 116
August 23, 2023: 113
August 24, 2023: 115
August 25, 2023: 112.

Heat in ANDREW, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in CLINTON, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in COOPER, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in HOLT, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in HOWARD, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in NODAWAY, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.

Heat in PUTNAM, MISSOURI
From 19-AUG-23 18:00:00 to 25-AUG-23 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Max heat indices during the afternoons of August 19th through August 25th, 2023 primarily ranged from the 110 to 120 degree range.