Heat — Jackson, Louisiana

2023-07-29 to 2023-07-31 · Jackson, Louisiana

Wider weather episode

An upper ridge of high pressure became anchored over the Southern Rockies and extended east into the Ozarks and Central Arkansas on July 29th, with the center of the ridge shifting east into the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles on the 31st. Meanwhile, a weak surface front lifted back north into portions of Eastern Oklahoma and Central Arkansas, with moisture pooling observed near this front over Southeast Oklahoma and into Southwest Arkansas and portions of North Louisiana. Strong sinking motion observed beneath this ridge resulted in compressional warming, with temperatures climbing into the upper 90s and lower 100s across North Louisiana on the 29th and 30th. Given the limited mixing of dewpoints observed, heat indices ranged from 105 to 110 degrees both days, before even more oppressive conditions were observed on the 31st.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1126419. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.