Record Breaking August 2023 Heat

Overview

A week long heat wave impacted most of the Southern and Central Plains toward the middle of August as an upper level high pressure system planted over the region. This feature provided 7 consecutive days of extreme temperatures. Through this time period, 14 max temperature records were either tied or broken across the Wichita NWS forecast area.

On August 19th, the high temperature in Wichita soared to 111 degrees! This was the hottest temperature in Wichita in 11 years and only 3 degrees from the all time high temperature in Wichita.

During the late afternoon of August 21st, the heat index at Chanute soared to 126 degrees! This was the 3rd highest heat index value at Chanute since 1948 and the highest since 1981.

Photos & Video

Photos & Video

Animation of 500mb heights showing the persistent upper ridge over the Plains which lead to the August heat wave.

Map showing the large area of excessive heat warnings across the region

Heat Records

Wichita

Date	Max Temperature	Previous Record
Saturday August 19th	111	105 (1936)
Sunday August 20th	108	106 (2001)
Monday August 21st	106	105 (1896)
Tuesday August 22nd	105	105 (1922)
Friday August 25th	106	105 (2000)

Salina

Date	Max Temperature	Previous Record
Saturday August 19th	113	111 (1936)
Sunday August 20th	106	106 (2003)
Monday August 21st	108	108 (1922)
Tuesday August 22nd	107	106 (1918)

Russell

Date	Max Temperature	Previous Record
Saturday August 19th	106	103 (1962)
Sunday August 20th	104	104 (1952)
Monday August 21st	103	103 (2001)
Tuesday August 22nd	103	103 (2000)
Wednesday August 23rd	103	102 (2011)

Chanute

Date	Max Temperature	Previous Record
Sunday August 20th	105	103 (1962)
Monday August 21st	104	104 (1913)


Wichita's max temps and departure from normal through the heat wave	Salina's max temps and departure from normal through the heat wave	Russell's max temps and departure from normal through the heat wave	Chanute's max temps and departure from normal through the heat wave

Additional information

Crews noted that the pigs had started to overheat due to the extreme heat and lack of airflow. A small diameter hose was used to cool the critters down. #kwch12 https://t.co/t2RYbNdL8S — KWCH 12 News (@KWCH12) August 23, 2023	Due to excessive heat warning, Wichita Transit extending free rides through end-of-day Friday. #KFDI #KFDINews https://t.co/kS7TUIR0p7 — KFDI News (@kfdinews) August 24, 2023	Extreme heat taking toll on HVAC systems at some Wichita schools https://t.co/6DPhf0qkq6 — KSN News Wichita (@KSNNews) August 24, 2023
Preliminary data shows that Manhattan, Kansas had the highest temperature today, August 19th, across the contiguous United States at 115 degrees! #kswx — NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) August 20, 2023	Heatwave spikes power consumption, concern over electric grid https://t.co/RYlwKnWtIT — KSN News Wichita (@KSNNews) August 23, 2023	Schools across Kansas shut down due to heat and HVAC issues: https://t.co/FErFoEbQZw #KAKEnews @ACWray2023 — KAKE News (@KAKEnews) August 23, 2023

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