A round of showers and thunderstorms will move across the state later today into tonight and some of these storms could become strong to severe. Damaging winds will be the primary hazard.

Showers and thunderstorms will begin to increase late this morning in Northeast Texas, Southeast Oklahoma, Southwest Arkansas, and even Northwest Louisiana by early this afternoon. All of this well ahead of a strong cold front and associated upper level disturbance that will approach the region from the west tonight. An isolated severe threat exists with these afternoon storms with large hail possible, but the majority of our severe weather threat will hold off until late this afternoon as the warm front comes into play. Then the thunderstorms gradually become more surface based moving eastward and better organize ahead of the strong cold front as it moves across I-30 this evening. The thunderstorms will merge into a potent squall line, while moving southeastward ahead of the cold front this evening. Large hail, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes are the main threats late this afternoon and on through much of Thursday night, before diminishing in the predawn hours. Locally heavy rainfall will also be possible with 2 inches or more in the stronger storms, which may result in minor flooding of our low lying and poor drainage areas.

...FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FOR SW ARKANSAS AND SE OKLAHOMA FROM LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 32 possible.

* WHERE...In Arkansas, Sevier County, Howard County, Little
  River County, Hempstead County and Nevada County. In Oklahoma,
  McCurtain County.

* WHEN...From late Friday night through Saturday morning.

* IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other
  sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor
  plumbing.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent
freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should
be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have
in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-
ground pipes to protect them from freezing.