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National Weather Service Issues Extreme Heat Warning for Parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas

Heat index values between 110 and 115 are expected as a developing extreme heat event affects 22 zones across the region.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 15, 2026, 2:34 p.m. ET
Developing

Hazard products are revised and cancelled as conditions change. Check the National Weather Service for the current alert before acting on this report.

According to official records from the , an was issued on August 15, 2026, for portions of Arkansas and Oklahoma as an extreme heat event develops. The first remains in effect until 8 PM CDT on August 15, followed by a Heat Advisory from 8 PM Saturday evening to noon CDT Sunday, and a second from noon to 8 PM CDT Sunday. Heat index values from 110 to 115 are expected both Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon, with overnight lows in the upper 70s to lower 80s expected Saturday night. The alert covers zones. In Arkansas, affected areas include Southern Crawford and North and Central Sebastian Counties. In Oklahoma, affected areas include Central and Southern Sequoyah, Okfuskee, Haskell, McIntosh, Northern Le Flore, and Pittsburg Counties. Cities covered by the include Stigler, Spiro, Panama, Sallisaw, Fort Smith, Okemah, Pocola, Arkoma, Checotah, Van Buren, and McAlester. Official National Weather Service records state that heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events, especially impacting individuals not acclimated to conditions or those performing strenuous activities. Recommended precautions include drinking plenty of fluids, staying in an air-conditioned room, staying out of the sun, checking on relatives and neighbors, wearing lightweight and loose fitting clothing, limiting strenuous activities to early morning or evening, and taking action when seeing symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

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Revision history

  1. Version 115 Aug 2026, 18:34current

    First published.

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