September heat wave set some all-time records in the region

A prolonged 5-day period of dangerous heat finally broke over the weekend, but not before rewriting parts of western Kentucky's record books.

The National Weather Service office in Paducah said our entire region witnessed their warmest September 1st through 5th on record, with some records dating back to the late 1800s. Four out of five climate stations registered their highest heat index readings on record for any date in the month of September.

The NWS had to issue a multi-day extreme heat warning as most locations observed 5 straight days of heat index readings at or above 105 degrees. A few spots hit a heat index of 110. Paducah's peak heat index of 110 was its highest recorded since 1989. 

Actual high temperatures were in the mid to upper 90s to start, but eventually reached 100 degrees across the entire region by the 5th. Mt. Vernon, IL recorded at least 100 on all five days, and 103 on the 5th.

Paducah hit 100 for the first time in four years. Poplar Bluff and Carbondale peaked at 103 to record their highest temperatures since 1954.

Unseasonably high humidity levels were also present during this heatwave, with most locations reaching dew points into the mid to upper 70s. Paducah registered 4 consecutive days with a dew point above 75 degrees, which broke the previous September record of 3 consecutive days set September 9-11, 1991.

After a respite for the Labor Day holiday, at least one more bubble of extreme heat is possible Wednesday with a high around 99 and a heat index once again approaching 105. Then our first substantial chance for rain will move in on Wednesday night into Thursday.


(Photo Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal via AP)