Heat advisory continues across North Central Arkansas

Hot and humid conditions will continue across North Central Arkansas this week, with the National Weather Service forecasting temperatures in the upper 90s and heat index values reaching above 100 degrees.

The latest prolonged heat briefing from the National Weather Service office in Little Rock shows the region under a heat advisory through Tuesday evening. High temperatures across the North Central Arkansas forecast area are expected to remain in the upper 90s through much of the week, with overnight lows generally in the lower 70s to upper 60s.

Heat index values are expected to remain elevated through the middle of the week. The weather service says heat risk will remain in the major category across much of the state before gradually improving later in the weekend.

In the release Monday afternoon it was noted that recent rainfall has actually contributed to more substantial afternoon heat by keeping humidity levels higher. An upper-level ridge is expected to settle over Arkansas through the middle to latter part of the week.

The pattern is expected to begin changing late this weekend into early next week as the ridge moves away and a cold front approaches, bringing increased chances for rainfall.

Drought conditions also remain a concern. The latest briefing says drought covers nearly all of Arkansas, with many areas experiencing severe to extreme drought. The Climate Prediction Center expects drought conditions to persist across most of the state through September.

Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the afternoon and use air conditioning when available as fans alone may not provide adequate relief during periods of extreme heat.

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