Think It’s Hot Now? See Arkansas’ Hottest Day Ever Recorded

Now that July is finally here, so begins those long, hot summer days. In Arkansas, July and August are typically the hottest months. Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-90s for most of the week, with the heat index even higher.

Have you ever wondered what the hottest day ever recorded in Arkansas' history was?

Hottest on Record

According to the National Weather Service, 89 years ago on August 10, 1936, the temperature soared to a blistering 120 degrees Fahrenheit in the small town of Ozark. The record still stands today as the hottest on record in the Natural State. A significant heatwave gripped much of Arkansas from August 8 through August 23, and other cities affected on August 10, 1936, were Texarkana (117 degrees) and Subiaco (117 degrees). Back in those days, there was no such thing as a heat index, which compares the actual air temperature with the relative humidity to indicate how hot it feels to the human body. Prolonged exposure to this type of heat can lead to a myriad of health problems, including heat stroke.

Now That's Hot: Putting into Perspective

Let's put that record-setting temperature of 120 degrees in Arkansas into perspective. That's only 10 degrees more than the highest temperature ever recorded on planet Earth on July 9, 2021, in California's Death Valley. According to the World Meteorological Organization, a world record was also set at Death Valley of 134 degrees Fahrenheit in July 1913 at Furnace Creek. Imagine that!

How Hot To Cook an Egg on Concrete?

You could cook an egg on concrete if the surface temperature is at least 130 degrees. Of course, the temperature needs to be at least 158 degrees for a fully cooked egg, but it may be inconsistent since concrete is a poor heat conductor. I think you get the picture.

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As we approach the dog days of summer, which refer to the hottest and most humid period of the year, all we can do is stay hydrated, stay out of the sun if possible, stay indoors, and check on relatives, pets, and senior citizens.