One Final Heatwave to Finish Summer

               A rather persistent heatwave affected most of Kansas and southeastern Nebraska to start the month of September. Average daily maximum temperatures from August 31^st, 2026, to September 8^th, 2026, were at least in the mid-to-upper 90s for most of Kansas, with average maximum temperatures in the 100s for central and southern Kansas. Average minimum temperatures for the period of August 31^st to September 8^th were in the low to mid 70s for southeast Nebraska and central and eastern Kansas. The maps below show the extent of this heatwave for the southeast portion of the High Plains region.

The table below shows the highest heat index values for multiple stations in Kansas and Nebraska. Heat index values were mostly in the high 100s across this 9-day period. The Concordia ASOS site in Kansas had a heat index of 108 on September 4^th, 2026, at 14:00 LT. Several stations shared this value, such as the Salina Municipal Airport, the Manhattan ASOS, and the Parsons Tri City Airport, located in Salina, Manhattan, and Parsons, respectively.

It is also important to understand that this heatwave also broke temperature records. The table below shows several daily maximum temperature records which were established with this heatwave, and the previous held record. Stations like the Topeka ASOS and the Salina Municipal AP station broke at least one temperature record, with the new daily maximum temperature record at 101 °F and 106 °F, respectively, beating the previous records by 3 °F. Stations such as the Dwight D. Eisenhower AP in Wichita, KS, the Manhattan ASOS station in Manhattan, KS, and the Parsons Tri City AP station in Parsons, KS, have broken multiple records. For example, the Parsons Tri City AP station broke 2 temperature records with this heatwave on September 6^th, and September 8^th, with daily maximum temperatures of 104 °F and 103 °F, respectively.

               Though more intense heatwaves preceded this one, such as the one in late July, this heatwave was notable for the duration. Additionally, heatwaves are rather uncommon in September. The beginning of September marks the start of the meteorological autumn, which lasts through November, but early September is still very well in the summer, astronomically speaking.