Heat — Columbia, Arkansas

2023-09-05 to 2023-09-07 · Columbia, Arkansas

Wider weather episode

An upper-level ridge of high pressure expanded across the Southern Plains and extended eastward along the Gulf coast through the first week of September. Meanwhile, a weak surface front shifted southward into the Middle Red River Valley of Southeast Oklahoma, Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas, with moisture pooling observed near this front over much of the Four State Region. Strong subsidence observed beneath the upper ridge resulted in compressional warming, with temperatures climbing into the middle and upper 90s to lower triple digits across Southwest Arkansas. In addition, southerly low-level flow pushed dew points into the lower to middle 70s. Therefore, max heat indices ranged from 105 to 109 degrees for a few days in early September.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1141459. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.