Tulsa, Oklahoma – Relentless heat is gripping eastern Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas, with “feels like” temperatures soaring to 110°F in Tulsa and Fort Smith through Thursday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Tulsa, dangerous heat indices between 100 and 110°F will persist for much of the region through at least Thursday night. Actual air temperatures will hover between 90 and 100°F, with the worst heat expected in cities like Tulsa, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and Bartlesville.
Local officials are urging residents to monitor for signs of heat exhaustion, stay hydrated, and take frequent air-conditioned breaks. Outdoor workers, seniors, and children are at particular risk. The heat is expected to ease by Friday as cooler air moves in, bringing a noticeable drop in both temperature and humidity for the weekend.
Communities including Muskogee, McAlester, Rogers, and Miami will see some of the highest heat index values through Thursday before relief arrives. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management advises wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours.
This stretch of heat mirrors previous late July extremes but should break with the arrival of a cold front. Temperatures are expected to rebound by the middle of next week, so continued vigilance is necessary.
Warnings remain in effect through Thursday night. Watch for additional heat advisories as hot weather is likely to return by next week.
