Heat index to hit triple digits midweek

(TULSA, Okla.) There may be brief lull in precip late Sunday evening before additional shower and thunderstorm chances develop overnight into Monday morning. The vorticity max is projected to lift north northeast through the region and should exit Northwest Arkansas during the afternoon hours Monday. The greater precipitation potential may reside along and just east of the County Warning Area and will continue to carry a small area of likely precipitation chances mainly east of Fort Smith to Berryville Monday morning. Severe weather is not anticipated with this activity, though a brief period of locally heavy rainfall could be possible as precipitable water values 1.5-2 inches are forecast. By Monday afternoon, small thunderstorm chances will remain possible before tapering off and exiting Northwest Arkansas. Associated cloud cover across the area should help to keep temperatures some what in check again with highs in the mid 80s to lower 90s forecast. Gusty southerly winds are forecast to continue again Monday with gusts in the 15 to 30 mph range. Tuesday through Thursday, hot and humid conditions to return with highs in the low 90s in Northwest Arkansas to the upper 90s/near triple digits for Northeast Oklahoma. Continued southerly flow transporting Gulf moisture into the region will create heat index values in the 105 to near 110 degree range across Eastern Oklahoma and the Arkansas River valley of West Central Arkansas. Heat headlines will likely be needed if these forecast values are realized. Also through mid week, daily diurnal thunderstorm chances will be possible mainly for far Eastern Oklahoma into Northwest Arkansas. We will continue to keep small precipitation chances going as the cap strength may be enough to suppress some development. That pattern is predicted to continue into next weekend. Monday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. South wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 104. South wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 77. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 98. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight. Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 97. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. North wind around 5 mph. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Independence Day Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Northeast wind around 5 mph.