Excessive Heat and Heat in Arkansas, August 16 to 19, 2025

Name: Excessive Heat and Heat in Arkansas, August 16 to 19, 2025
Start: 2025-08-16T12:00
End: 2025-08-19T19:00
Location: Arkansas

August 16 to 19, 2025 · NWS MEG · 40 events in 10 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 40 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 40

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 MEG wrote it up.

A strong, stationary heat dome brought oppressive heat to the Mid-South in mid to late August. The region was fed by warm, moist air from the Gulf, which elevated dewpoints and thus made heat-index values much higher than the actual air temperature alone. Because cloud cover was suppressed and the ground surface was dry, nighttime cooling was limited, elevating heat stress. The heat dome remained parked for several days, resulting in minimal forecast change or relief. Finally, an upper-level disturbance was able to bring relief as showers and thunderstorm chances returned.

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 Memphis, TN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 16, 11:11 AM CST, 49 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Updated at 1102 AM CDT Sat Aug 16 2025
Hot and humid conditions continue through mid-week.
A Heat Advisory is in effect for the entire Mid-South through Monday evening.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 16, 11:11 AM CST, 49 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Memphis TN
1211 PM CDT Sat Aug 16 2025

...New DISCUSSION, AVIATION, FIRE WEATHER...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 1102 AM CDT Sat Aug 16 2025

- Hot and humid conditions continue through mid-week.

- A Heat Advisory is in effect for the entire Mid-South through
  Monday evening.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
(This afternoon through next Friday)
Issued at 1102 AM CDT Sat Aug 16 2025

An upper ridge will remain centered over the Mid-South through
mid-week. Hot and humid conditions will prevail through the
period. A few showers and thunderstorms will develop during peak
heating but not enough to carry POPS in the forecast. Highs will
creep up each day and by Tuesday will reach into the upper 90s to
low 100s. Overnight lows will do little in the way to relieve the
heat. Heat indices will range from 105 to 110 degrees across the
Mid-South during this time. Have expanded the Heat Advisory
though Monday evening for now, but will eventually need to be
expanded through Tuesday and possibly into Wednesday for portions
of the CWA.

By Wednesday afternoon into Thursday, the upper ridge will
retrograde to the west allowing for an upper trough to move into
the region. Expect chances for showers and thunderstorms to
increase with best timing still occurring during peak heating
hours. Temperatures will be cooler with highs dropping back into
the upper 80s to lower 90s. Lows will be in the upper 60s to lower
70s through early next weekend.

KRM

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1102 AM CDT Sat Aug 16 2025

VFR with light winds expected through the period. Isolated
SHRAs/TSRAs are expected this afternoon though confidence is too
low to mention in TAFs. Some light fog is expected at MKL/TUP late
tonight.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 1102 AM CDT Sat Aug 16 2025

No fire weather concerns expected through early next week. Hot
and humid conditions will prevail with light winds.

&&

.MEG WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
AR...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT Monday for ARZ009-018-026>028-035-
     036-048-049-058.

MO...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT Monday for MOZ113-115.

MS...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT Monday for MSZ001>017-020>024.

TN...Heat Advisory until 8 PM CDT Monday for TNZ001>004-019>022-
     048>055-088>092.

&&

PUBLIC FORECAST...KRM
AVIATION...SJM

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

35 heat, 5 excessive heat. Local standard time, as filed.

Heat, Clay

When: August 16, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Clay forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 36.368, -90.417 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Greene

When: August 16, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 36.118, -90.559 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Poinsett

When: August 16, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Poinsett forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.574, -90.663 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 106 degrees.

Heat, Cross

When: August 16, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cross forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.296, -90.771 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 106 degrees.

Heat, St. Francis

When: August 16, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: St. Francis forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.022, -90.748 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Heat, Lee

When: August 16, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Lee forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 34.781, -90.782 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Heat, Phillips

When: August 16, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Phillips forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 34.428, -90.848 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Crittenden

When: August 16, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Crittenden forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.208, -90.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Heat, Mississippi

When: August 16, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Mississippi forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.764, -90.054 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Craighead

When: August 16, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Craighead forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.831, -90.633 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 105 degrees.

Heat, Clay

When: August 17, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Clay forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 36.368, -90.417 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Greene

When: August 17, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 36.118, -90.559 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Poinsett

When: August 17, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Poinsett forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.574, -90.663 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Cross

When: August 17, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cross forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.296, -90.771 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, St. Francis

When: August 17, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: St. Francis forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.022, -90.748 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Lee

When: August 17, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Lee forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 34.781, -90.782 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Phillips

When: August 17, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Phillips forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 34.428, -90.848 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Crittenden

When: August 17, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Crittenden forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.208, -90.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Mississippi

When: August 17, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Mississippi forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.764, -90.054 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 109 degrees.

Heat, Craighead

When: August 17, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Craighead forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.831, -90.633 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 109 degrees.

Heat, Clay

When: August 18, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Clay forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 36.368, -90.417 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Heat, Greene

When: August 18, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 36.118, -90.559 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Heat, Poinsett

When: August 18, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Poinsett forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.574, -90.663 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Heat, Cross

When: August 18, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cross forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.296, -90.771 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Heat, St. Francis

When: August 18, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: St. Francis forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.022, -90.748 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Heat, Lee

When: August 18, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Lee forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 34.781, -90.782 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Heat, Phillips

When: August 18, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Phillips forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 34.428, -90.848 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Heat, Crittenden

When: August 18, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Crittenden forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.208, -90.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Heat, Mississippi

When: August 18, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Mississippi forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.764, -90.054 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Heat, Craighead

When: August 18, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Craighead forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.831, -90.633 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 107 degrees.

Excessive Heat, Clay

When: August 19, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Clay forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 36.368, -90.417 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 110 degrees.

Excessive Heat, Greene

When: August 19, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Greene forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 36.118, -90.559 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 110 degrees.

Excessive Heat, St. Francis

When: August 19, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: St. Francis forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.022, -90.748 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 110 degrees.

Excessive Heat, Lee

When: August 19, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Lee forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 34.781, -90.782 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 110 degrees.

Excessive Heat, Phillips

When: August 19, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Phillips forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 34.428, -90.848 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 110 degrees.

Heat, Craighead

When: August 19, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Craighead forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.831, -90.633 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Mississippi

When: August 19, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Mississippi forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.764, -90.054 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Crittenden

When: August 19, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Crittenden forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.208, -90.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Poinsett

When: August 19, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Poinsett forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.574, -90.663 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

Heat, Cross

When: August 19, 12:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Cross forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 35.296, -90.771 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Maximum heat index of 108 degrees.

What these are

Heat: Heat below excessive heat criteria that still caused deaths, injuries or significant impacts.
Excessive Heat: Heat at or above the local excessive heat warning criteria, or heat that caused deaths.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Arkansas in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history Warnings in Arkansas, August 2025

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: 1291266, 1291267, 1291268, 1291269, 1291270, 1291271, 1291272, 1291273, 1291274, 1291275, 1291322, 1291323, 1291324, 1291325, 1291326, 1291327, 1291328, 1291329, 1291330, 1291331, 1291398, 1291399, 1291400, 1291401, 1291402, 1291403, 1291404, 1291405, 1291406, 1291407, 1291432, 1291433, 1291434, 1291435, 1291436, 1291437, 1291438, 1291439, 1291440, 1291441.