Extreme Heat Warning Issued for Portions of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee
An Extreme Heat Warning from the National Weather Service Memphis TN is in effect through 8:00 PM CDT on August 17, 2026.
4 reports on this incident · first at Aug 16, 2026, 9:23 p.m. ET
Earlier reports
Aug 16, 2026, 9:35 p.m. ET
National Weather Service Extends Extreme Heat Warning Through Monday Evening
On August 17, 2026, the National Weather Service Memphis TN extended an Extreme Heat Warning, which now runs through 8 PM CDT on Monday, August 17, 2026, longer than first issued. The warning applies to 29 zones across portions of East Arkansas, North Mississippi, and West Tennessee.
Official records from the National Weather Service state that dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 111 are expected. Impacted locations include cities such as Jonesboro, Blytheville, West Memphis, Bartlett, Germantown, Southaven, and Oxford, as well as Shelby, DeSoto, and Craighead counties.
According to the official warning, heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. Precautions listed in the official record instruct residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Aug 16, 2026, 9:25 p.m. ET
NWS Raises Hazard Level to Extreme Heat Warning Through Monday Evening
The National Weather Service Memphis TN has raised the alert level to an Extreme Heat Warning, effective from 8:00 PM CDT on August 16, 2026, until 8:00 PM CDT on August 17, 2026. The upgraded warning covers portions of East Arkansas, North Mississippi, and West Tennessee, spanning 29 zones.
According to official records from the National Weather Service, dangerously hot conditions are expected, with heat index values reaching up to 111. Cities under the warning include Jonesboro, West Memphis, Blytheville, Southaven, Olive Branch, Oxford, Bartlett, Germantown, and Millington, alongside counties such as Shelby, Tipton, DeSoto, Marshall, Craighead, and Crittenden.
Official weather documentation notes that heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. Advised precautions include drinking plenty of fluids, staying in air-conditioned rooms, staying out of the sun, and checking on relatives and neighbors.
Aug 16, 2026, 9:23 p.m. ETFirst report
NWS Highlights Heightened Illness Risks During Extreme Heat Warning
Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events, the National Weather Service Memphis TN warned on August 17, 2026. The advisory accompanies an Extreme Heat Warning covering 29 zones across portions of East Arkansas, North Mississippi, and West Tennessee. Dangerously hot conditions are expected with heat index values reaching up to 111. The warning began at 8:00 PM CDT on August 16, 2026, and expires at 8:00 PM CDT on Monday, August 17, 2026. The agency advises people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
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Revision history
- Version 217 Aug 2026, 14:41current
Updated story to explicitly detail the warning start and expiration times, correct tier attribution language, and include all listed cities and areas.
- Version 117 Aug 2026, 01:35current
First published.
- Version 117 Aug 2026, 01:23current
First published.
- Version 117 Aug 2026, 01:11
First published.
- Version 117 Aug 2026, 01:25current
First published.
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