Arkansas, 2012

Heat and Drought in Arkansas, July 1 to 31, 2012

July 1 to 31, 2012 · NWS LZK · 90 events in 45 counties and zones

Unusually hot weather that began in late June continued into the first part of July, thanks to a large area of high pressure aloft. Many high temperatures of 100 degrees or higher were recorded, and a number of daily high temperature records were broken.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 67 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$75,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
90

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LZK wrote it up.

Unusually hot weather that began in late June continued into the first part of July, thanks to a large area of high pressure aloft. Many high temperatures of 100 degrees or higher were recorded, and a number of daily high temperature records were broken. Although enough moisture returned such that very isolated showers and thunderstorms occurred each day, the rain did little to help the drought. Early in the month, about a third of Arkansas was affected by extreme drought, with severe drought existing in almost all other parts of the state. Pastures dried up, causing many cattle growers to send their livestock to market. Some stock ponds dried up, as well. Some water utilities instituted mandatory water restrictions. The hot, dry weather contributed to the spread of wildfires. At the beginning of the month, the Arkansas Forestry Commission rated fire danger statewide as Extreme, a category which is used very rarely. County judges instituted burn bans for virtually every county in Arkansas. Sales of fireworks for the 4th of July were greatly affected, with some fireworks stands closing before the holiday. Some municipal fireworks shows were cancelled as a result of the dry weather. Dozens of fires broke out each day, but only a relatively small number of these exceeded 100 acres. On the 3rd, Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe authorized the National Guard to use Black Hawk helicopters to assist firefighters by dropping water on the larger fires using 660 gallon Bambi Buckets. On the 4th alone, the Arkansas Forestry Commission fought 43 wildfires which burned 1803 acres. During the first half of the month, many rivers in the state fell to unusually low levels. Twenty stations recorded levels that were in their top ten lowest water levels since the last big agricultural drought in 2000. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designated almost all of Arkansas as being in a drought disaster. Tropical moisture began returning to Arkansas about the 6th of July. This brought higher humidities, somewhat of an increase in afternoon showers and thunderstorms, and caused the number of wildfires each day to diminish. On the 17th, the Arkansas Forestry Commission dropped the wildfire danger from Extreme to High. For the month of July, the Forestry Commission fought 430 fires, which consumed 8126 acres. A second heat wave occurred from the 17th through the 20th. During this time, numerous reporting stations rose above 100 degrees. A number of daily high temperatures records were broken, and additional daily records were broken for warmest low temperatures. The highest temperature recorded was 110 at Arkadelphia. Readings of 109 were observed at Russellville, Hot Springs airport, Cabot, and Morrilton. Stations reaching 108 included Little Rock, Mena, Dardanelle, Nimrod Dam, and Oden. Thereafter, temperatures moderated somewhat but still remained above normal. Another heat wave occurred from the 28th through the end of the month. During this period, the highest temperatures recorded were 112 at the Searcy airport, 111 at Little Rock, 110 at Cabot and Silver Hill, and 109 at Little Rock Air Force Base, the Batesville airport, Des Arc, and Evening Shade (forestry station).

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Little Rock, AR wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 30, 11:52 PM CST, 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 30, 11:52 PM CST, 8 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
1252 AM CDT SUN JUL 1 2012

.DISCUSSION...

UPDATED FOR THE 06Z TAF PACKAGE.

&&

.AVIATION...

VFR CONDITIONS EXPECTED THROUGH THE PERIOD. WILL SEE SOME FEW-SCT
BASES AROUND 6-8K FT FROM MIDDAY ONWARD...ALONG WITH SOUTHERLY
SFC WINDS NEAR 8KT. THERE WERE A HANDFUL OF SMALL...SHORT-LIVED
THUNDERSTORMS THAT FIRED OFF SATURDAY AFTERNOON. WILL MORE THAN
LIKELY SEE THE SAME THING OCCUR AGAIN TODAY...BUT CONFIDENCE IN
EXACTLY WHERE THESE STORMS POP UP AND WHETHER THEY WILL BE CLOSE
TO ANY TAF SITES IS NOT HIGH. THUS NO TSRA OR CB CLOUD GROUPS WILL
BE INCLUDED IN THIS TAF PACKAGE.

&&

PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 250 PM CDT SAT JUN 30 2012/

SHORT TERM...TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT

VERY HOT TEMPS WERE AGAIN COMMON ACRS THE FA THIS AFTN...WITH MANY
LOCATIONS ALREADY IN THE UPR 90S TO ARND 105 DEGREES. A FEW RECORD
HIGHS FOR TODAY HAVE BEEN TIED OR BROKEN. LARGER CU FIELD NOTED
ACRS THE AREA AS WELL...AN INDICATION OF AN INFLUX OF LOW LVL
MOISTURE. HOLDING OUT SOME HOPE FOR A STRAY SHOWER OR STORM THIS
AFTN...BUT THAT CHC SEEMS SLIM TO NONE.

THE MODELS RMN IN DECENT AGREEMENT TODAY WITH OVERALL FCST TRENDS
THRU THE PD. THE PERSISTENT UPR RDG IS FCST TO WEAKEN SOMEWHAT IN
THE COMING DAYS ACRS THE MID SOUTH. THIS WL ALLOW A WEAK UPR LVL
STORM SYS...CURRENTLY OFF THE SERN TX COAST...TO LIFT SLOLY NWD THRU
MON ACRS ERN OK/WRN AR. MOISTURE AND UPR SUPPORT WITH THIS FEATURE
SUPPORT THE CONTD MENTION OF LOW CHC POPS ACRS MAINLY THE WRN HALF
OF THE FA BY MON. THE REMNANTS OF THIS UPR LVL SYS WL EVENTUALLY
LIFT N OF THE AREA BY TUE...WITH DRY CONDS EXPECTED THEREAFTER.

REGARDING TEMPS...READINGS FOR THE MOST PART WL RMN AT ABV NORMAL
LVLS. HOWEVER...WITH LOWER UPR HGTS...AN INCRS IN LOW LVL RH AND
ADDED CLOUD COVER...MAX TEMPS WL BE A BIT LOWER IN THE COMING DAYS.
APPEARS THAT FCST HEAT INDICES WL RMN BLW ADVY CRITERIA SO WL NOT
EXTEND HEAT ADVY BEYOND THIS EVENING.

LONG TERM...WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

HIGH PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE OVER THE AREA THROUGH THE LONG TERM.
MORE MOISTURE IS INDICATED TO RETURN INTO ARKANSAS FROM THE EAST AND
SOUTHEAST. HOT TEMPERATURES AND PARTLY CLOUDY CONDITIONS WILL BE THE
RULE THROUGH THE PERIOD. WILL INCLUDE A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. PRECIPITATION WILL FIRST BE
ACROSS THE EAST THEN ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA. ABOVE NORMAL
TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
BATESVILLE AR    102  74  99  74 /   0  10  20  20
CAMDEN AR         99  73  97  70 /  10  20  20  10
HARRISON AR       99  71  94  72 /   0  10  30  20
HOT SPRINGS AR    99  74  97  73 /  10  10  30  20
LITTLE ROCK   AR 101  75  97  75 /  10  10  20  10
MONTICELLO AR     98  76  98  73 /  10  10  10  10
MOUNT IDA AR      96  70  97  68 /  10  20  30  20
MOUNTAIN HOME AR 100  73  96  73 /   0  10  30  20
NEWPORT AR       100  76  99  75 /   0  10  10  10
PINE BLUFF AR     99  75  98  74 /  10  10  20  10
RUSSELLVILLE AR  102  73  97  71 /   0  10  30  20
SEARCY AR        102  74  98  73 /  10  10  10  10
STUTTGART AR      99  75  98  75 /  10  10  10  10
&&

.LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...NONE.
&&

AVIATION...64
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 30, 7:35 PM CST, 4 hours 25 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
835 PM CDT SAT JUN 30 2012

ARZ003>007-012>016-021>025-030>034-037>047-052>057-062>069-011000-
ARKANSAS-BAXTER-BOONE-BRADLEY-CALHOUN-CLARK-CLEBURNE-CLEVELAND-
CONWAY-DALLAS-DESHA-DREW-FAULKNER-FULTON-GARLAND-GRANT-HOT SPRING-
INDEPENDENCE-IZARD-JACKSON-JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-LINCOLN-LOGAN-LONOKE-
MARION-MONROE-MONTGOMERY-NEWTON-OUACHITA-PERRY-PIKE-POLK-POPE-
PRAIRIE-PULASKI-SALINE-SCOTT-SEARCY-SHARP-STONE-VAN BUREN-WHITE-
WOODRUFF-YELL-
835 PM CDT SAT JUN 30 2012

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR A LARGE PART OF ARKANSAS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

DROUGHT CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO WORSEN. VEGETATION HAS DRIED OUT IN
MANY AREAS...AND WILDFIRES HAVE BECOME COMMON. THERE IS AN EXTREME
WILDFIRE DANGER...AND MOST COUNTIES HAVE BURN BANS IN PLACE. ANY
FIRE THAT STARTS COULD SPREAD RAPIDLY AND QUICKLY GET OUT OF CONTROL.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

TEMPERATURES WILL BE VERY HOT ON SUNDAY...WITH AFTERNOON
READINGS LIKELY EXCEEDING THE CENTURY MARK. A HEAT ADVISORY MAY BE
REQUIRED AS HEAT INDICES APPROACH EXCESSIVE LEVELS.

MOISTURE WILL CONTINUE SLOWLY BUILDING. A TROPICAL SYSTEM ALONG THE
TEXAS GULF COAST WILL HEAD TO THE NORTHEAST...AND MAY TRIGGER
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ON MONDAY. MORE CLOUDS AND HIT AND MISS
PRECIPITATION WILL HELP HOLD DOWN TEMPERATURES A FEW DEGREES.

AS THE WEEK PROGRESSES...THERE ARE SIGNS THAT A DOMINANT RIDGE OF
HIGH PRESSURE MAY DRIFT TO THE NORTH AND WEST OF ARKANSAS. THIS
WOULD ALLOW ADDITIONAL MOISTURE TO FLOW INTO THE STATE FROM THE
SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES...WITH ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS REMAINING
POSSIBLE. EVEN SO...TEMPERATURES WILL STAY ABOVE NORMAL...AND HEAT
ADVISORIES MAY BE POSTED.

WHATEVER RAIN MATERIALIZES...IT WILL LIKELY HAVE LITTLE IMPACT ON
THE ONGOING DROUGHT. BURNING OF ANY KIND...INCLUDING FIREWORKS...
IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED.

&&

VISIT NWS LITTLE ROCK ON THE WEB. GO TO HTTP://WEATHER.GOV AND
CLICK ON CENTRAL ARKANSAS.

46

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jun 30, 7:39 PM CST, 4 hours 21 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
839 PM CDT SAT JUN 30 2012

ARZ003>007-012>016-021>025-030>034-037>047-052>057-062>069-011100-
ARKANSAS-BAXTER-BOONE-BRADLEY-CALHOUN-CLARK-CLEBURNE-CLEVELAND-
CONWAY-DALLAS-DESHA-DREW-FAULKNER-FULTON-GARLAND-GRANT-HOT SPRING-
INDEPENDENCE-IZARD-JACKSON-JEFFERSON-JOHNSON-LINCOLN-LOGAN-LONOKE-
MARION-MONROE-MONTGOMERY-NEWTON-OUACHITA-PERRY-PIKE-POLK-POPE-
PRAIRIE-PULASKI-SALINE-SCOTT-SEARCY-SHARP-STONE-VAN BUREN-WHITE-
WOODRUFF-YELL-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALTHEIMER...AMITY...ARKADELPHIA...
ARKANSAS CITY...ASH FLAT...AUGUSTA...AVILLA...BATESVILLE...
BAUXITE...BEARDEN...BEE BRANCH...BEEBE...BENTON...BISMARCK...
BONNERDALE...BOONEVILLE...BRINKLEY...BRYANT...BULL SHOALS...
CABOT...CALICO ROCK...CAMDEN...CAVE CITY...CENTER RIDGE...
CHIDESTER...CLARENDON...CLARKSVILLE...CLINTON...CONWAY...
COTTON PLANT...DANVILLE...DARDANELLE...DE VALLS BLUFF...DE WITT...
DEER...DES ARC...DONALDSON...DRASCO...DUMAS...EL PASO...ENGLAND...
FAIRFIELD BAY...FLIPPIN...FORDYCE...FOURCHE JUNCTION...
GASSVILLE...GEORGETOWN...GILLETT...GLENWOOD...GOULD...GRADY...
GRAVELLY...GREENBRIER...GREERS FERRY...GURDON...HAMPTON...HARDY...
HARRISON...HASKELL...HAZEN...HEBER SPRINGS...HECTOR...HERMITAGE...
HORSESHOE BEND...HOT SPRINGS...HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE...HOUSTON...
HUMNOKE...HUMPHREY...JACKSONVILLE...JASPER...JESSIEVILLE...
KINGSLAND...LACEY...LEAD HILL...LEOLA...LESLIE...LITTLE ROCK...
LONOKE...MALVERN...MAMMOTH SPRING...MARSHALL...MAUMELLE...
MAYFLOWER...MCCRORY...MCGEHEE...MELBOURNE...MENA...MONTICELLO...
MORO BAY...MORRILTON...MOUNT IDA...MOUNT MAGAZINE...
MOUNTAIN HOME...MOUNTAIN VIEW...MURFREESBORO...NEWPORT...
NORFORK...NORMAN...NORTH LITTLE ROCK...OIL TROUGH...OKOLONA...
OLA...OMAHA...OXFORD...OZONE...PARIS...PARON...PELSOR...
PERRYVILLE...PINE BLUFF...PINE RIDGE...PLEASANT PLAINS...POYEN...
PRATTSVILLE...REDFIELD...RISON...ROHWER...ROSE BUD...
RUSSELLVILLE...SALEM...SEARCY...SHERIDAN...SHERWOOD...STAR CITY...
STEPHENS...STUTTGART...SUMMIT...SWIFTON...THORNTON...TUCKERMAN...
VILONIA...VIOLA...WALDRON...WARREN...WESTERN GROVE...WICKES...
WRIGHTSVILLE...Y CITY...YELLVILLE
839 PM CDT SAT JUN 30 2012

...HOT AND MOSTLY DRY WEATHER WILL CONTINUE WITH AN EXTREME
FIRE DANGER...

IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE VERY HOT WITH ISOLATED PRECIPITATION
THROUGH THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF JULY.

AS OF JUNE 26TH...EIGHTY SEVEN PERCENT OF ARKANSAS WAS EXPERIENCING
A SEVERE DROUGHT...WITH EXTREME DROUGHT CONDITIONS IN A THIRD OF THE
STATE. RECENT RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES AND VERY LOW HUMIDITY LEVELS
INCREASED EVAPORATION RATES...AND VEGETATION DRIED OUT QUICKLY.
WILDFIRES HAVE BECOME MORE COMMON...WITH AT LEAST 200 WILDFIRES AND
3000 ACRES BURNED SO FAR THIS MONTH.

THE ARKANSAS FORESTRY COMMISSION HAS THE ENTIRE STATE IN AN EXTREME
FIRE DANGER. SEVENTY OUT OF SEVENTY FIVE COUNTIES ARE UNDER BURN
BANS.

OUTDOOR BURNING...INCLUDING THE USE OF FIREWORKS...IS STRONGLY
DISCOURAGED IN ARKANSAS UNTIL WIDESPREAD SUBSTANTIAL RAIN FALLS.
THOSE HEADED OUTDOORS SHOULD PREPARE FOR THE HEAT. WEAR LIGHT
COLORED LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING...DRINK PLENTY OF NON ALCOHOLIC
FLUIDS AND GO TO AN AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENT PERIODICALLY.

46

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

45 heat, 44 drought, 1 dust devil. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Boone

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Boone forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency

Extreme drought covered Boone County at the beginning of July. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened to exceptional drought over the southern half of the county.

Drought, Marion

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Marion forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
36.268, -92.684 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought covered almost all of Marion County at the beginning of July. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened to exceptional drought over central and southern parts of the county.

Drought, Baxter

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Baxter forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
36.287, -92.337 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought covered most of Baxter County at the beginning of July. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened to exceptional drought over central and southern parts of the county.

Drought, Fulton

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Fulton forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
36.382, -91.818 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought covered much of Fulton County at the beginning of July. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened to exceptional drought over the southern half of the county, with extreme drought elsewhere.

Drought, Sharp

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Sharp forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
36.161, -91.480 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Extreme drought covered most of Sharp County at the beginning of July. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened to exceptional drought over all but the northern tip of the county, where extreme drought existed.

Drought, Newton

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Newton forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered the northern part of Newton County, with severe drought elsewhere. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Searcy

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Searcy forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered the northwestern corner of Searcy County, with severe drought elsewhere. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Stone

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Stone forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
35.860, -92.157 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered the northern tip of Stone County, with severe drought elsewhere. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Izard

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Izard forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
36.095, -91.913 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered most of Izard County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Johnson

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Johnson forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered most of Johnson County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought over all but the western edge of the county, where extreme drought prevailed.

Drought, Pope

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Pope forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered most of Pope County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Van Buren

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Van Buren forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered much of Van Buren County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Cleburne

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Cleburne forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
35.538, -92.027 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered Cleburne County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Independence

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Independence forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
35.742, -91.570 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered eastern Independence County, with severe drought elsewhere. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Jackson

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Jackson forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
35.599, -91.215 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered most of Jackson County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Logan

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Logan forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered most of Logan County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought over the eastern half of the county and extreme drought over the western half.

Drought, Scott

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Scott forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered Scott County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with extreme drought covering the county.

Drought, Polk

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Polk forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered Polk County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought over the southeastern part of the county, and extreme drought elsewhere.

Drought, Yell

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Yell forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered much of Yell County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought over all but the western edge of the county, where extreme drought existed.

Drought, Perry

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Perry forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.947, -92.931 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered the northwestern half of Perry County, with severe drought elsewhere. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Conway

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Conway forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
35.262, -92.701 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered Conway County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Faulkner

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Faulkner forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
35.147, -92.332 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought extended across the northwestern part of Faulkner County, with severe drought elsewhere. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, White

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
White forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
35.256, -91.745 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought extended across extreme northeastern White County, with severe drought elsewhere. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Woodruff

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Woodruff forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
35.186, -91.243 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought extended across extreme northern Woodruff County, with severe drought elsewhere. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought over most of the county except the southeast, where extreme drought existed.

Drought, Montgomery

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Montgomery forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency

At the beginning of July, extreme drought extended across parts of southern Montgomery County, with severe drought elsewhere. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought over most of the county except the northwest, where extreme drought existed.

Drought, Garland

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Garland forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.577, -93.150 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered Garland County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Saline

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Saline forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.647, -92.677 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered Saline County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the county.

Drought, Pulaski

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Pulaski forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.770, -92.312 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered Pulaski County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering all of the county, except for the southeast corner, where extreme drought existed.

Drought, Lonoke

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Lonoke forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.754, -91.889 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered Lonoke County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering northern and central sections of the county, and extreme drought in the south.

Drought, Prairie

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Prairie forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.830, -91.553 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered Prairie County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering the northwestern half of the county, and extreme drought existing in the southeastern half.

Drought, Monroe

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Monroe forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.678, -91.204 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered northern Monroe County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with extreme drought covering all but the southern tip of the county, where severe drought existed.

Drought, Pike

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Pike forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.164, -93.656 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered most of Pike County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought covering all but the southeastern part of the county, where extreme drought existed.

Drought, Clark

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Clark forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.051, -93.176 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered Clark County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened in the north, with exceptional drought developing. Elsewhere, extreme drought continued.

Drought, Hot Spring

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Hot Spring forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.318, -92.946 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered the western part of Hot Spring County, with severe drought elsewhere. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought over all but the southern part of the county, where extreme drought existed.

Drought, Grant

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Grant forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.290, -92.424 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered Grant County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with exceptional drought over the northern edge of the county and extreme drought elsewhere.

Drought, Jefferson

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.269, -91.931 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered Jefferson County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with extreme drought over the county except for severe drought over the southeastern tip.

Drought, Ouachita

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Ouachita forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
33.593, -92.882 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought was occurring over a small part of eastern Ouachita County, with severe drought elsewhere except for the southwestern corner. By the end of the month, extreme drought extended across a small part of northwestern Ouachita County as well as the southeastern corner of the county. Elsewhere, severe drought existed, except for the southwestern corner where only moderate drought was occurring.

Drought, Calhoun

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Calhoun forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
33.558, -92.503 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, extreme drought covered most of Calhoun County, except for small parts of northern and western Calhoun County. There was a slight improvement during the month. By the end of July, extreme drought covered the southern half of the county, while severe drought existed in the northern half.

Drought, Bradley

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Bradley forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
33.466, -92.162 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, parts of western Bradley County were in extreme drought, with severe drought elsewhere. Conditions changed little during the month.

Drought, Drew

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Drew forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
33.589, -91.720 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought existed over the southwestern corner of Drew County. Conditions worsened during the month, with severe drought spreading across the entire county.

Drought, Dallas

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Dallas forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
33.970, -92.654 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered Dallas County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with extreme drought over all but the southeastern part of the county, where severe drought existed.

Drought, Cleveland

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Cleveland forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
33.898, -92.185 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered Cleveland County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with extreme drought over the northern part of the county, and severe drought elsewhere.

Drought, Lincoln

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Lincoln forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
33.958, -91.733 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered western and northern parts of Lincoln County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with extreme drought over the northern part of the county, and severe drought elsewhere.

Drought, Arkansas

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Arkansas forecast zone
Reported by
Other Federal Agency
Coordinates
34.291, -91.375 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At the beginning of July, severe drought covered the western half of Arkansas County. By the end of the month, conditions had worsened, with extreme drought over northern and western sections, and severe drought elsewhere.

Heat, Boone

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Boone forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations

Heat, Marion

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Marion forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
36.268, -92.684 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Baxter

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Baxter forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
36.287, -92.337 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Fulton

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Fulton forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
36.382, -91.818 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Sharp

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Sharp forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
36.161, -91.480 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Newton

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Newton forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations

Heat, Searcy

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Searcy forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations

Heat, Izard

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Izard forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
36.095, -91.913 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Independence

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Independence forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
35.742, -91.570 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Jackson

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Jackson forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
35.599, -91.215 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Johnson

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Johnson forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations

Heat, Pope

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Pope forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations

Heat, Van Buren

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Van Buren forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations

Heat, Cleburne

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Cleburne forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
35.538, -92.027 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Scott

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Scott forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations

Heat, Polk

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Polk forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations

Heat, Yell

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Yell forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations

Heat, Perry

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Perry forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.947, -92.931 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Faulkner

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Faulkner forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
35.147, -92.332 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, White

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
White forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
35.256, -91.745 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Woodruff

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Woodruff forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
35.186, -91.243 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Montgomery

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Montgomery forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations

Heat, Garland

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Garland forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.577, -93.150 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Saline

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Saline forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.647, -92.677 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Pulaski

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Pulaski forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.770, -92.312 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Lonoke

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Lonoke forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.754, -91.889 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Prairie

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Prairie forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.830, -91.553 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Monroe

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Monroe forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.678, -91.204 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Hot Spring

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Hot Spring forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.318, -92.946 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Grant

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Grant forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.290, -92.424 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Jefferson

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.269, -91.931 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Arkansas

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Arkansas forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.291, -91.375 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Pike

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Pike forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.164, -93.656 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Clark

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Clark forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
34.051, -93.176 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Dallas

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Dallas forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
33.970, -92.654 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Cleveland

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Cleveland forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
33.898, -92.185 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Desha

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Desha forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
33.833, -91.254 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Ouachita

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Ouachita forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
33.593, -92.882 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Calhoun

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Calhoun forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
33.558, -92.503 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Bradley

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Bradley forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
33.466, -92.162 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Drew

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Drew forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
33.589, -91.720 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Stone

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Stone forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
35.860, -92.157 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Logan

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Logan forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations

Heat, Conway

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Conway forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
35.262, -92.701 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heat, Lincoln

When
July 1, 12:00 AM CST to July 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Lincoln forecast zone
Reported by
Official NWS Observations
Coordinates
33.958, -91.733 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dust Devil, Logan

When
July 1, 2:38 PM CST
Where
Logan County, Delaware
Property damage
$75,000
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
35.280, -93.320

A very well-developed dust devil damaged four chicken houses near Delaware. Tin was torn off the roof and sides of the chicken houses. The debris was pulled so high into the air that it flew over trees and ridges. Cattle and horses were frightened and ran.

What these are

Drought
A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.
Heat
Heat below excessive heat criteria that still caused deaths, injuries or significant impacts.
Dust Devil
A small rotating column of dust from surface heating that caused damage or injury.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Arkansas in 2012Every state in 2012This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, July 2012

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 388249, 388250, 388251, 388252, 388253, 388254, 388255, 388256, 388257, 388258, 388259, 388260, 388261, 388262, 388263, 388264, 388266, 388267, 388268, 388269, 388270, 388275, 388276, 388277, 388278, 388279, 388280, 388281, 388282, 388283, 388284, 388285, 388286, 388287, 388288, 388289, 388290, 388291, 388292, 388293, and more.