Topeka, Kan. – Dangerously high heat is gripping much of northeast and central Kansas, with temperatures expected to feel as hot as 106° through 8 p.m. Saturday, prompting a Heat Advisory from the National Weather Service.
According to the NWS in Topeka, the advisory affects 26 counties—including Topeka, Manhattan, Lawrence, Emporia, and Junction City—with heat index values ranging from 100 to 106 degrees starting at noon Friday. Overnight lows are forecast to remain in the upper 70s, offering little recovery from the daytime heat.
Residents in Riley, Shawnee, Lyon, and Brown counties should avoid prolonged outdoor activity during peak heat hours between 1 and 6 p.m. Officials urge wearing loose, light-colored clothing, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking frequent breaks in air-conditioned spaces. The risk of heat cramps, exhaustion, and stroke is significantly elevated, especially for those working outdoors.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends staggered rest breaks and shaded workspaces for outdoor laborers. Pet owners are reminded to check pavement temperatures and never leave animals—or children—in parked vehicles.
This is the season’s first widespread high heat event, and it may feel more intense as residents haven’t yet acclimated.
More advisories are possible if conditions persist into early next week.
