Excessive Heat — Hempstead, Arkansas

2024-07-03 to 2024-07-04 · Hempstead, Arkansas

Wider weather episode

An upper ridge of high pressure built in across the Southern Plains during the first several days of July, before eventually sliding off to the east into the Mid-South and Lower Mississippi Valley. Meanwhile, a weak surface front lifted back north before becoming stationary over Southeast Oklahoma and Central Arkansas on the 3rd and 4th, which aided in compressional heating and low level moisture pooling, allowing temperatures to climb into the upper 90s to near 100 degrees through July 4th across the northern sections of Southwest Arkansas. The moisture pooling resulted in minimal mixing of dewpoints, with attendant heat indices ranging from 110-115 degrees each afternoon.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1195326. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.