Shreveport, La. – The ArkLaTex will experience another hot and humid day Thursday, although increasing cloud cover will keep temperatures slightly lower than recent days. Even so, dangerous heat index values exceeding 105 degrees are expected across portions of East Texas, where a Heat Advisory remains in effect through this evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, afternoon highs will range from the lower to middle 90s across much of the region, including 95 degrees in Shreveport, Longview, Mount Pleasant, Clarksville and Monroe, 96 degrees in Tyler, and 97 degrees in Nacogdoches. Heat index values are forecast to reach 105 to 109 degrees in parts of east and deep East Texas, prompting a Heat Advisory from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
The advisory includes portions of East Texas, including areas near Tyler, Longview, Lufkin, Mount Pleasant and Nacogdoches, where prolonged outdoor exposure could quickly lead to heat-related illness without proper precautions.
Scattered afternoon thunderstorms are also possible across the ArkLaTex, with the greatest rain chances focused over east-central Louisiana, where probabilities climb into the 30% to 40% range. Most areas in northeast Texas, northwest Louisiana and southwest Arkansas have lower storm chances, but any thunderstorm that develops could produce brief heavy rainfall, lightning and gusty winds.
Residents are encouraged to drink plenty of water, wear lightweight clothing and limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the afternoon. If working outside, take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned locations, and never leave children or pets inside parked vehicles.
The combination of dangerous heat and isolated thunderstorms will continue to require close monitoring through today, with additional heat advisories possible if oppressive conditions persist into the coming days.
