Little Rock reaches 100 degrees for first time this year; excessive heat warning issued

For the first time this year, Arkansas’ capital city has reached triple-digit temperatures as a heat wave is expected to continue across the state into the weekend, the National Weather Service said Friday morning.

Little Rock hit 100 degrees around 11:25 a.m., said Joe Goudsward, a senior forecaster with the weather service’s North Little Rock office.

Temperatures across the state are expected to climb throughout the day, with highs forecast to reach up to 105 degrees in portions of central and eastern Arkansas, he said.

The already scorching temperatures Friday morning prompted weather officials to issue an excessive heat warning for parts of central and eastern Arkansas, which will remain in effect until 8 p.m.

The heat index, which measures how hot the air feels when humidity is factored in, could reach more than 110 degrees Friday in those areas of the state.

“The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely,” the weather service said.

Meanwhile, remaining portions of Arkansas with slightly cooler air in the forecast are under a heat advisory until 9 p.m. Saturday. Heat indexes will reach between 105 and 110 in the state’s northwest and north-central regions.

Goudsward said the high temperatures will continue into early next week before rain enters the picture, with highs likely dropping into the mid- to upper-90s.

Arkansas residents are advised to use common sense — staying hydrated and wearing lightweight clothing — when going outside for prolonged periods of time and should only be outside when necessary, he said.

Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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