As per reports, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for parts of Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, and Indiana, with dangerously hot conditions expected from Monday (31 August) afternoon through Friday (05 September) evening.
Heat index values are expected to range between 39 degrees Celsius and 42 degrees Celsius, with some areas potentially reaching 43 degrees Celsius. Overnight lows of 24 degrees Celsius to 27 degrees Celsius are expected to provide limited relief and may increase cumulative heat stress.
• In Missouri the advisory covers Benton, Camden, Miller, Maries, Vernon, St. Clair, Hickory, Pulaski, Phelps, Barton, Cedar, Polk, Dallas, Laclede, Texas, Dent, Jasper, Dade, Greene, Webster, Wright, Newton, Lawrence, Christian, Douglas, Howell, Shannon, McDonald, Barry, Stone, Taney, Ozark, Oregon, Perry, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Wayne, Carter, Ripley, Butler, Stoddard, Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid counties, as well as Saint Louis City, Saint Louis County and Saint Charles County. Major cities within the affected area include Saint Louis, Saint Charles, Joplin, Springfield, Branson, Rolla, Camdenton, Poplar Bluff and Cape Girardeau.
• In Illinois the advisory covers Clinton, Washington, Randolph, Madison, Saint Clair and Monroe counties in the St. Louis Metro East, as well as Jefferson, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, Perry, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski and Massac counties in southern Illinois. Major cities include Alton, Edwardsville, Belleville, Sparta, Chester, Cahokia, Carbondale, Marion, Mount Vernon and Harrisburg.
• In Kansas the affected area includes Bourbon, Crawford and Cherokee counties in southeast Kansas. Major cities include Fort Scott, Pittsburg and Baxter Springs.
• In Kentucky the advisory covers Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle, Ballard, McCracken, Graves, Livingston, Marshall, Calloway, Crittenden, Lyon, Trigg, Caldwell, Union, Webster, Hopkins, Christian, Henderson, Daviess, McLean, Muhlenberg and Todd counties in western Kentucky. Major cities include Paducah, Owensboro, Henderson, Hopkinsville and Madisonville.
• Additionally, in Indiana, the affected area includes Gibson, Pike, Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick and Spencer counties in southwest Indiana. Major cities include Evansville and Boonville.