Excessive Heat — Howard, Arkansas

2024-08-13 to 2024-08-18 · Howard, Arkansas

Wider weather episode

An expansive upper-level ridge of high pressure across the Southern Plains and Gulf Coast region led to a prolonged period of excessive heat through much of mid August across Southwest Arkansas. Afternoon temperatures rose into the upper 90s to lower 100s for several consecutive days totaling nearly a full week from the 13th through the 18th. Deep southerly moisture pooling in advance of another weak frontal boundary resulted in very minimal mixing of dew points, with attendant heat indices exceeding 110 degrees across Southwest Arkansas each day before the frontal boundary finally advanced southward on August 19th with slightly milder and drier air in its wake.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1213753. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.