Unusually dry weather occurred in Arkansas during May. The following stations set a record for the driest May on record:  Clinton 6SE, Morrilton, Dardanelle, Arkadelphia 2N, Gilbert, Damascus 2NNE, Marshall, Hot Springs Airport, Perry, Hot Springs National Park, Danville, Nimrod Dam, Little Rock Air Force Base, Clarksville Water Plant, Sparkman, North Little Rock, Harrison, Blakely Mountain Dam, Jasper, Mountain View, Murfreesboro 1W, Rohwer 2NNE, Blue Mountain Dam, Alum Fork, Clarksville 6NE, Batesville Airport, Subiaco, Sheridan, Arkansas Post, Amity 1N, and Ozone. Although some rain occurred during the first half of June, rainfall was extremely sparse during the latter half of the month. The general lack of rainfall led to drought conditions and steadily rising temperatures. Severe drought developed over most of Arkansas soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, extreme drought covered parts of northern Arkansas, the Arkansas River Valley, and parts of southwest and south central Arkansas. The following stations set a record for the driest June on record: Salem, Damascus 2NNE, Blakely Mountain Dam, Beedeville 4NE, Clarksville 6NE, and the Clarksville Water Plant. During the last week in June, almost all observing sites rose to at least 100 degrees. The hottest temperature was 111 degrees at the forestry reporting station in Evening Shade. Batesville Lock and Dam reached 110. Readings of 109 were recorded at Mountain Home, Blanchard Springs, Guy, Russellville, and Searcy. Stations that set records for the hottest day ever recorded in the month of June included: Dardanelle, Gilbert, Marshall, Star City/Cane Creek State Park, Batesville Airport, Hot Springs Airport, Harrison, Little Rock, Monticello, Little Rock Air Force Base, North Little Rock, Russellville, Batesville Lock and Dam, Greers Ferry Dam, Blue Mountain Dam, Cabot 4SW, Evening Shade 1NNE, Mammoth Spring, Mountain View, Sparkman, Alum Fork, and the Clarksville Water Plant. As a result of the hot, dry weather, almost every county in Arkansas was placed under a burn ban. Fireworks sales leading up to Independence Day were very poor, as many cities and counties prohibited the use of fireworks. The Arkansas Forestry Commission raised the state's fire danger to Extreme, a category which is used very rarely. Hundreds of wildfires occurred, but the vast majority of these burned less than 100 acres. Pastures dried up, causing many cattle growers to send their livestock to market. Some stock ponds dried up, as well. Several counties declared emergencies so that volunteer fire departments could haul water to stock ponds on private property. Some water utilities instituted mandatory water restrictions.

Drought in BOONE, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Boone County soon after the middle of June. Before the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme.

Drought in MARION, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Marion County soon after the middle of June. Before the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over almost all of the county.

Drought in BAXTER, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Baxter County soon after the middle of June. Before the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over all but the northeast corner and southern section of the county.

Drought in FULTON, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over most of Fulton County soon after the middle of June. Before the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over all but the northern edge of the county.

Drought in SHARP, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Sharp County soon after the middle of June. Before the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over all but the southern part of the county.

Drought in NEWTON, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Newton County soon after the middle of June. Before the end of the month, extreme drought was occurring in the northern part of the county.

Drought in SEARCY, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Searcy County soon after the middle of June. Before the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over the northwest corner of the county.

Drought in STONE, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Stone County soon after the middle of June. Before the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over the northern tip of the county.

Drought in IZARD, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Izard County soon after the middle of June. Before the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over all but the southern tip of the county.

Drought in JOHNSON, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Johnson County soon after the middle of June. Before the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over all but the northern edge of the county.

Drought in POPE, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Pope County soon after the middle of June. Before the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over all but the northern edge of the county.

Drought in VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Van Buren County soon after the middle of June. Before the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over all but the northern and western edges of the county.

Drought in CLEBURNE, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Cleburne County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in INDEPENDENCE, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Independence County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over the eastern part of the county.

Drought in YELL, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Yell County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over all the county except for portions of the west and south.

Drought in LOGAN, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Logan County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over all but the southern part of the county.

Drought in CONWAY, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Conway County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, the drought worsened to the extreme category.

Drought in FAULKNER, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Faulkner County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over the northwest part of the county.

Drought in WHITE, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over White County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over the extreme northeast part of the county.

Drought in WOODRUFF, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Woodruff County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over the northern tip of the county.

Drought in SCOTT, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Scott County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in PERRY, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Perry County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over the northwest half of the county.

Drought in POLK, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Polk County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in MONTGOMERY, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Montgomery County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over a portion of southern Montgomery County.

Drought in GARLAND, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Garland County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in SALINE, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Saline County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in PULASKI, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Pulaski County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in LONOKE, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Lonoke County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in PRAIRIE, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Prairie County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in PIKE, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Pike County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, conditions worsened to extreme over all but the western tip of the county.

Drought in CLARK, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Clark County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, conditions worsened to extreme.

Drought in HOT SPRING, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Hot Spring County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over the western part of the county.

Drought in GRANT, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Grant County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in JEFFERSON, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Jefferson County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in DALLAS, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Dallas County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in CLEVELAND, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Lincoln County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in CALHOUN, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Calhoun County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, conditions worsened to extreme over all but small parts of northern and western Calhoun County.

Drought in BRADLEY, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Bradley County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, conditions worsened to extreme over the western part of the county.

Drought in JACKSON, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over Jackson County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, the drought worsened to extreme over but small portions of western and southern Jackson County.

Drought in MONROE, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over the northern half of Monroe County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in LINCOLN, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over the western and northern parts of Lincoln County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in DREW, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over the southwestern corner of Drew County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.

Drought in OUACHITA, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over portions of northern and eastern Ouachita County soon after the middle of June. By the end of the month, conditions worsened to extreme over a small part of eastern Ouachita County. The remainder of the county was under severe drought, except for the southwestern corner.

Drought in ARKANSAS, ARKANSAS
From 19-JUN-12 06:00:00 to 30-JUN-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought developed over the western half of Arkansas County soon after the middle of June and then continued through the end of the month.