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| Hot
Weather |
| Heat and humidity can create life threatening
conditions during the Summer. Read more about it below. |
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About the
Heat Index |
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| When
the Summer months arrive in Arkansas, the heat can become unbearable at times. The
question is: How hot does it get and how should you protect
yourself from the heat? |
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| High temperatures during the Summer are often in the 90s...with 70s at
night. Now let's factor in the humidity. With more humidity, it feels warmer than it actually is. |
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| HEAT INDEX °F |
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RELATIVE HUMIDITY (%) |
| TEMP (°F) |
40 |
45 |
50 |
55 |
60 |
65 |
70 |
75 |
80 |
85 |
90 |
95 |
100 |
| 110 |
136 |
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| 108 |
130 |
137 |
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| 106 |
124 |
130 |
137 |
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| 104 |
119 |
124 |
131 |
137 |
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| 102 |
114 |
119 |
124 |
130 |
137 |
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| 100 |
109 |
114 |
118 |
124 |
129 |
136 |
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| 98 |
105 |
109 |
113 |
117 |
123 |
128 |
134 |
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| 96 |
101 |
104 |
108 |
112 |
116 |
121 |
126 |
132 |
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| 94 |
97 |
100 |
103 |
106 |
110 |
114 |
119 |
124 |
129 |
135 |
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| 92 |
94 |
96 |
99 |
101 |
105 |
108 |
112 |
116 |
121 |
126 |
131 |
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| 90 |
91 |
93 |
95 |
97 |
100 |
103 |
106 |
109 |
113 |
117 |
122 |
127 |
132 |
| 88 |
88 |
89 |
91 |
93 |
95 |
98 |
100 |
103 |
106 |
110 |
113 |
117 |
121 |
| 86 |
85 |
87 |
88 |
89 |
91 |
93 |
95 |
97 |
100 |
102 |
105 |
108 |
112 |
| 84 |
83 |
84 |
85 |
86 |
88 |
89 |
90 |
92 |
94 |
96 |
98 |
100 |
103 |
| 82 |
81 |
82 |
83 |
84 |
84 |
85 |
86 |
88 |
89 |
90 |
91 |
93 |
95 |
| 80 |
80 |
80 |
81 |
81 |
82 |
82 |
83 |
84 |
84 |
85 |
86 |
86 |
87 |
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| A Heat Index Chart is shown
above. For an image, click here. |
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| The
"heat index" is considered excessive when temperature and humidity combine to
make it feel like105 degrees or greater. For example, using the chart above...a
temperature of 96 degrees with a relative humidity of 50% net a heat index of
108 degrees. Other than the chart, try using our meteorological
calculator by clicking here.
When heat index values meet or exceed 105 degrees
for several hours over a fairly large area...the National
Weather Service will usually issue a Heat Advisory.
When heat index values reach 115 degrees
for one hour over a fairly large area...an Excessive
Heat Warning may be posted.
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Current Heat
Index Values |
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| NOTE: For Heat Index values, look for HX in REMARKS.
If HX is N/A (not available), then there is data
missing such as temperature (TMP) or relative
humidity (RH)...or HX is below 85 degrees.
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WEATHER ROUNDUP FOR ARKANSAS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
300 AM CDT WED JUL 09 2008
CITY SKY/WX TMP RH REMARKS
FAYETTEVILLE RAIN 69 90 HX N/A (b)
FORT SMITH CLOUDY 81 67 HX N/A (b)
HARRISON LGT RAIN 69 96 HX N/A (b)
BATESVILLE PTCLDY 77 78 HX N/A (b)
JONESBORO PTCLDY 80 81 HX 85 (b)
LITTLE ROCK PTCLDY 77 82 HX N/A (b)
N LITTLE ROCK N/A 78 73 HX N/A (b)
WEST MEMPHIS MOCLDY 79 79 HX N/A (b)
HOT SPRINGS CLEAR 75 81 HX N/A (b)
RUSSELLVILLE PTCLDY 75 87 HX N/A (b)
MOUNT IDA CLEAR 71 93 HX N/A (b)
TEXARKANA CLEAR 78 76 HX N/A (b)
EL DORADO CLEAR 76 87 HX N/A (b)
PINE BLUFF PTCLDY 77 82 HX N/A (b)
MONTICELLO CLEAR 78 79 HX N/A (b)
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Black color (b): Below dangerous HX value or no
HX value available (N/A).
Orange color (o): Approaching dangerous HX value (100 to
104 degrees). Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible
with prolonged exposure to the heat.
Red color (r): Dangerous HX value (105 to 114 degrees).
Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely with prolonged
exposure to the heat...with heatstroke possible.
Purple color (p): Very dangerous HX value (115 degrees +)...
and not often reached in Arkansas. Heat cramps and heat
exhaustion are likely with prolonged exposure to the heat...
with heatstroke becoming more likely.
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Heat
Disorders (Symptoms) |
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| Excessive heat can cause heat related illnesses
if you're not careful. Read about symptoms
below. |
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| SUNBURN: Redness and pain. In severe cases
swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches.
HEAT CRAMPS: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and
abdomen possible, Heavy sweating.
HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale
and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and
vomiting.
HEAT STROKE (or sunstroke): High body temperature (106 F or
higher). Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible
unconsciousness. |
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Current
Heat Index Graphic |
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Heat
Disorders (First Aid) |
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| If you or someone else has a heat related illness,
below are some first aid suggestions. |
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| SUNBURN: Ointments for mild cases if blisters
and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing.
Serious, extensive cases should be seen by physician.
HEAT CRAMPS: Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle
massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs,
discontinue use.
HEAT EXHAUSTION: Get victim out of sun. Lay down and loosen
clothing, Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air
conditioned room. Sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use.
If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.
HEAT STROKE (or sunstroke): Move the victim to a
cooler environment. Reduce body temperature with cold bath or
sponging. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air
conditioners. If temperature rises again repeat process. Do not give
fluids. This is a severe medical emergency. Summon emergency
medical assistance or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay
can be fatal. |
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Staying
Cool |
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If you are outside in the heat for any length of time, use some common
sense and stay cool. Why? Heat can be
deadly. To avoid being a victim...drink plenty of
non-alcoholic fluids. |
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| Go to an air conditioned area periodically to
help keep your body temperature down. |
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| Of course, while outdoors...wear light colored
loose-fitting clothing and don't exert yourself too
much. And check on the elderly to make sure they are in a cool environment. Every year...someone
succumbs to the heat. Don't let that someone be you. |
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| Finally, don't forget about your
pets! If you leave them
outdoors, provide plenty of cool water and make sure there is a shady spot available. |
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| Other than the heat, there is one more item you might
consider as you head outdoors. Too much exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays could
damage your skin. |
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To help you protect yourself, check out the UV
(i.e. ultraviolet) Index links below. |
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| For more
information
about heat and heat safety from the National Weather Service, click here. |
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www.weather.gov
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