textproduct: Topeka

KEY MESSAGES

- The Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect until Tuesday evening. Afternoon heat index values will reach 100-108 degrees.

- Scattered storms develop this afternoon and evening, a couple of which could be strong to severe and produce wind gusts around 60 MPH and hail up to 1" in diameter.

- A cold front will move through the area Tuesday evening/night, bringing chances for showers and storms along with relief from the excessive heat through the end of the week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 217 AM CDT Sun Sep 6 2026

Mid-level ridging remains overhead early this morning with energy rounding the apex of the ridge sparking convection across the High Plains. This activity will slowly move southeast and could lead to some showers across north central Kansas, but should largely dissipate before reaching the forecast area. Cloud cover and light east-southeast surface winds near a weak backdoor cold front will limit warming to some degree, but still expect temperatures to heat up into the mid and upper 90s with peak heat index values around 100- 105 degrees. An uncapped and unstable airmass this afternoon will support scattered thunderstorm development, mainly along a convergence axis across eastern Kansas. Strong to severe storms are possible given 20-25kts of effective shear and SBCAPE of 1500-2000 J/kg. Inverted-V soundings and DCAPE of 1100-1300 J/kg favor damaging wind gusts around 60 MPH as the primary hazard, with hail up to quarter size being a lower probability threat. Most likely timing for initiation is 2-4 PM with storms continuing into the evening hours before dissipating. There is still some potential for a complex that develops north of the forecast area to move into Kansas during the evening. CAMs have mixed ideas on the location of this complex with the majority keeping this round east of the forecast area. These storms could produce damaging wind gusts if they do impact far northeast Kansas.

Uncertainty remains in temperatures on Monday as cloud cover and precipitation may linger through the morning with the potential for a convective cold pool to move through the area as well. Temperatures may be slower to warm up, especially across far northeast Kansas, but there is good consensus in a southerly wind working to overcome any outflow-cooled air and bump temperatures back into the 90s by Monday afternoon. There remains a low (<10%) chance for a shower or storm to develop Monday afternoon, but a lack of focused ascent favors mostly dry conditions. Temperatures and heat indices are more marginal for an Excessive Heat Warning today and Monday across northern portions of the area, but heat index values will still reach near 100 degrees and the prolonged duration of the current heat wave leads to an increased risk of heat-related illnesses. As such, have not make any changes to the Extreme Heat Warning.

A pattern change is still progged to occur Tuesday into Wednesday as a potent shortwave ejects east across the Northern Plains towards the Great Lakes, shunting a cold front into the central CONUS. Ahead of the front, southwesterly winds will boost temperatures into the upper 90s to around 100 degrees again Tuesday afternoon with heat index values of 100-108 degrees. As the front moves into the forecast area Tuesday evening and night, showers and storms are expected to develop along the boundary and slowly translate south into Wednesday. The overall severe risk is low, but there could be some hail or gusty winds within this activity. The front hangs up somewhere in the region through the end of the week, leading to continued chances for showers and storms. Cooler temperatures build into the area behind the front with highs in the 80s on Thursday, warming back into the upper 80s and low 90s to end the week.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/

Issued at 1207 AM CDT Sun Sep 6 2026

VFR conditions expected. Winds stay light through the period, generally from the east-southeast. Scattered storms develop Sunday afternoon and evening with highest chances near KTOP/KFOE, but coverage and location of storms remain uncertain. Included a PROB30 group for now.

CLIMATE

Issued at 217 AM CDT Sun Sep 6 2026

Record highest minimum temperature information:

Record Forecast

September 6 Topeka 78, set in 1970 73 Concordia 81, set in 1939 74

September 7 Topeka 77, set in 1939 & 2016 72 Concordia 79, set in 1922 75

September 8 Topeka 78, set in 1983 75 Concordia 77, set in 1947 & 1983 79

Record high temperature information:

September 8 Topeka 104, set in 2013 101 Concordia 102, set in 2013 102

TOP WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Extreme Heat Warning until 7 PM CDT Tuesday for KSZ008-KSZ009- KSZ010-KSZ011-KSZ012-KSZ020-KSZ021-KSZ022-KSZ023-KSZ024-KSZ026- KSZ034-KSZ035-KSZ036-KSZ037-KSZ038-KSZ039-KSZ040-KSZ054-KSZ055- KSZ056-KSZ058-KSZ059.