Southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas are locked into a dangerous, extended heat wave, with highs holding near or above 100 degrees through the middle of next week — broken only by a Friday system that drops temperatures into the low 90s and brings the best rain chance of the stretch.
Heat index values are expected to regularly top 100 and could climb even higher as the week progresses, making this a stretch where residents should take real precautions: stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and check on elderly neighbors, pets and anyone without reliable air conditioning.
Tuesday’s high was 101 with a low of 74. No rain was recorded, leaving the monthly total at 0 inches. Average rainfall for July is 3.10 inches.
Averages for Aug. 5 are a high of 94 and low of 65. Records are a high of 102 in 1970 and low of 51 in 1974.
Wednesday
Sunny and dangerously hot, with a high near 100 and a low around 76. Only a 5 percent rain chance. With the current 77-degree conditions and full sun, heat index values look set to push well past 100 by afternoon.
Thursday
Another scorcher — high near 99, low around 78. Rain chances remain minimal at 10 percent. Heat index values will again likely climb past 100.
Friday
The break in the pattern arrives here — high drops to around 92, low near 74, and the rain chance jumps to 85 percent, the best shot at meaningful relief and rainfall all week.
Saturday
Heat rebuilds quickly behind Friday’s system — high near 99, low around 74, with rain chances falling back to just 5 percent.
Sunday
High near 100, low around 76, and rain chances drop to zero.
Monday
High near 100, low around 77, with no rain expected.
Tuesday
The hottest day yet in this stretch — high near 102, low around 79, still dry.
Bottom line: This is an extended, dangerous heat wave for LeFlore County and western Arkansas, with only Friday offering any real break — both in temperature and in rain chances. Outside of Friday, expect highs in the high 90s to low 100s straight through the following Wednesday, climbing as the stretch goes on. Heat safety messaging is worth repeating through this entire run: stay hydrated, limit outdoor exertion during peak afternoon hours, and check on elderly neighbors, pets and anyone without reliable air conditioning.
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