Summer officially began Tuesday, and Hot Springs is predicted to consistently see above-average temperatures throughout the season this year, according to the National Weather Service.
Chris Buonanno, science and operations officer for the National Weather Service out of North Little Rock, told The Sentinel-Record Hot Springs is expected to experience both highs and lows that are "above normal" throughout the months of July, August and September. Buonanno said such temperatures are a continuing trend.
"In general for the year, it's been above-normal temperatures," he said.
Even so, it wasn't until June 17 that Hot Springs reached 90 degrees for the first time in 2017. Buonanno said this was the third-latest date the city reached 90 degrees for the first time in a calendar year.
Buonanno said the past month in Hot Springs has, in large part, seen a more "average" range of temperatures. In order for this trend to continue, the city would have to experience daytime highs in the mid to upper 90s and nighttime lows in the low 70s throughout the next three months.
Buonanno said the Climate Prediction Center predicts that will not be the case, especially in late August and early September.
"During the later parts of the summer, the chances look like they increase somewhat for above-normal temperatures," he said, noting this is also predicted the hottest time of the year.
As far as precipitation is concerned, Buonanno said summer weather is predicted to yield an average quantity of rain -- between 12 and 16 inches. Again, the prediction comes after Hot Springs has lagged behind in average rainfall. At 20.34 inches of total rainfall for the year, the city's grand total trails its average by over 6 inches.
Buonanno said while most areas of Arkansas have received above-average rainfall for the year, Hot Springs is one of the few areas in the state that has not.
In 2016, Hot Springs' warm temperatures extended into October, with the final day climbing to 80 degrees. When asked if Hot Springs' warm temperatures would continue into October this year, Buonanno said temperatures were predicted to remain "above normal" into that month.
Buonanno cautioned Hot Springs' residents to "keep mindful" of temperatures this summer.
"Remember that heat can be dangerous," he said. "If the conditions warrant, the Weather Service will be issuing heat advisories."
Local on 06/21/2017