July 28, 2026 | Weather Alerts
WEATHER UPDATE FROM STATE CLIMATOLOGIST, JAY GRYMES 7.28.26
Extreme Heat Warnings in Louisiana
The LOSC has been getting some questions regarding the Extreme Heat Warnings (XHWs) being posted this summer … and I’m sure that the local NWS offices (SHV, JAN, LCH & LIX) are likely getting many more.
Yes, it has been warmer-than-normal since June 1 around the state … with above-normal temperatures getting an added nudge in the ‘feels like’ categories thanks to an abundance of humidity (higher-than-normal dew point temperatures).
The NWS re-branded Excessive Heat Warnings as Extreme Heat Warnings (XHWs) in the Spring of 2025.
Numbers of XHWs issued for LA parishes across the state’s four NWS service regions (CWAs) since the Spring of 2025:
Lake Charles (LCH): 1 issuance so far, 22 Jul 2026
Slidell (LIX): 5 issuances (3 in July 2025), 22 Jul 2026 and today (28 July 2026) around the tidal lakes
Shreveport (SHV): 4 issuances (2 in 2025), 21 Jul 2026 and 22 Jul 2026
Jackson (JAN): 10 issuances (7 in 2025), 1 Jul 2026, 21 Jul 2026 & 22 Jul 2026
The last Excessive Heat Warnings: 18 Aug 2024 … in all four CWAs
I didn’t evaluate the Heat Advisories as they are getting almost commonplace.
And remember, unlike severe weather warnings … these warnings are forecast driven and not “occurring or imminent” as the term Warning implies with severe weather activity. Since these two products – – Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories – – are forecast driven, the NWS forecasters can employee a little ‘wiggle room’ for these heat alerts such that if the forecast is close to reaching the criteria, the forecasters may go ahead and issue the alertsas an advanced precaution.