Heat in Natchitoches, Louisiana

A persistent upper level ridge spanning much of the Southern U.S. in mid July maintained hot temperatures across all of the Four State Region from July 16th through the 18th, with daytime temperatures climbing into the upper 90s to lower and middle 100s. When combined with the daytime humidity, oppressively hot conditions were observed as heat indices averaged between 105-109 degrees during the peak heating hours. Unfortunately, a heat-related fatality occurred in Natchitoches Parish on July 17th when a 52 year old male police officer suffered a heat stroke while patrolling the streets of Downtown Natchitoches during the late afternoon hours.