Record Dry July?

While this could go down as the 2nd driest July in history if the month ended Thursday, we do have a good chance for showers and storms Friday and Saturday.  There is no guarantee we'll have rainfall at the official observation station at the Little Rock airport, but these storms will have the ability to produce locally heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and frequent lightning.

Beyond this period of unsettled weather, I'm very concerned about next week.  Temperatures could easily surpass 100 for a few days as a strong ridge of high pressure moves over the region.  This takes us into August and the last month of meteorological summer.  If the heat continues, this could easily challenge last year as the hottest summer on record. 

The new drought monitor has been released indicating most of the state is in a moderate drought.  The far southern portion of the state is experiencing severe drought conditions.