Heat — Southern Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana

2023-08-01 to 2023-08-31 · Southern Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana

Event narrative

The average temperature at nearby Lake Charles during the month of August was 89.2F which broke the old record of 87.0F set in 2011. The hottest temperature during the month was 109F on the 27th which broke the all time high record of 107F set on August 31, 2000. Jennings hit 110F on the 19th, and Jennings and Lake Arthur hit 107F and 106F respectively on the 27th. Southwest Louisiana was under an excessive heat warning for 14 days of the month and only went without any heat products for 4 days of the month.

Wider weather episode

A historic heat wave was observed across much of the deep south during the month of August. Most climate sites tied or broke streaks of 100 degree days and all sites set all time highs. Apparent temperatures each afternoon for the month reached over 105 degrees with most afternoons rising into the 110 to 120 degree Fahrenheit range. Numerous deaths are suspected across Louisiana due to heat stress. The very hot and dry conditions aggravated the already dry conditions pushing much of the region into an exceptional drought. Multiple wildfires began during the middle of the month as a result. The largest and longest lasting of the wildfires was the Tiger Island Wildfire in Beauregard Parish which burned over 31,000 acres of pine forest across an area with many downed trees from Hurricane Laura.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1134681. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.