National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Briefing

A line of strong to possibly severe thunderstorms is expected to move into western Arkansas Monday night ahead of an advancing cold front. Some of these storms could produce damaging wind gusts, and perhaps an isolated tornado.

Heavy rainfall has already fallen across a good portion of central, western, and northern Arkansas over the last 24-hours. Additional heavy rainfall and severe weather will be possible through Tuesday (election day). Here is an in-depth briefing explaining expected weather conditions through Wednesday morning.

• Widespread rain fell yesterday and overnight leading to flooding across portions of northern Arkansas.

• Additional rainfall is expected today and into Tuesday as a cold front begins to push towards the state.

• An additional one to three inches will be possible through Tuesday

Severe Weather Outlook for Arkansas from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across western Arkansas Wednesday evening and Wednesday night.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible today across the region into this evening. Late tonight, strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible mainly northwest of the region. Look for strong south winds today outside thunderstorms with wind gusts upwards of 30 mph possible. There will continue to be an elevated fire threat due to very dry conditions with those conditions continuing until rainfall materializes later today into Thursday.

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across eastern and southern Arkansas Thursday.

In SW AR, rain chances will continue through the end of the work week, into the upcoming weekend and into early next week as well. At this time, strong to severe thunderstorms do not appear likely through early next week. Temperatures will remain mostly above normal through the extended period as well.

The forecast for Halloween evening calls for rain chances across the southeast with dry conditions elsewhere. Temperatures will largely be in the 50s and 60s.

Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service

• A cold front will push through Arkansas beginning on Wednesday morning along the Arkansas/Missouri border in the north and traverse the state moving southward during the day. Strong to severe thunderstorms are likely to be present along this cold front as it moves across the state from north to south.

• Re-development or rejuvenation of thunderstorm activity will be possible as the cold front moves across central and into southern Arkansas into the early afternoon hours on Wednesday.

• Damaging wind gusts and large hail are the primary concerns. The tornado threat is very low, but a brief tornado cannot be ruled out.

NWS Severe Weather Outlook for Arkansas June 3, 2024

• A complex of strong to severe thunderstorms will develop along a line that will enter northwestern Arkansas by Monday afternoon and sweep southeastward across the state into Monday evening.

• Damaging wind gusts and quarter sized hail will be possible in any storm that becomes severe.

• The tornado threat in this environment remains very low, but not zero.

• The Flash Flooding threat with this system is low, but locations that saw high rainfall totals with the activity from Thursday and locations that experience efficient rainfall producing cells this afternoon/evening may see flash flooding, especially in prone areas.

Severe weather likely in Arkansas beginning Wednesday evening; briefing updated

• Severe storms are expected to fire across Arkansas this afternoon into the overnight hours.

• Chances for severe weather will increase through the day as a storm system tracks from the southern Plains to the mid-Mississippi Valley, and drags a cold front into Arkansas. Ahead of the front, well above average temperatures and humid conditions will create a very unstable environment.

• All modes of severe weather are in play this afternoon and overnight. Very large hail up to baseball size and wind gusts up to 80 mph are the main threats, with tornadoes also possible. Heavy downpours may lead to localized flash flooding as well.

• On Thursday, storms will be mostly south of Arkansas but could impact far southern portions of the state. Damaging winds and large hail would be the main hazards.

Minor updates have been made by the National Weather Service in Little Rock, AR.

They include the addition of NW Arkansas to the Tornado Outlook and Overnight Timing Graphics. 

Storms are expected to initially develop by early evening across northern and western Arkansas. These storms will be capable of all severe weather hazards. The storms will gradually shift eastward through the evening hours with the very large hail threat becoming slightly lower. The damaging wind and isolated tornado threat will persist. Activity should make it east of the Mississippi River by daybreak Thursday.

Severe Weather Briefing from the NWS in Little Rock

After activity comes to an end this morning, some additional thunderstorms could develop across central into southeast Arkansas this evening into tonight. But, the severe weather threat with this activity remains low.

The greatest risk of severe storms in Arkansas will be on Wednesday during the evening into the overnight hours.

Chances for severe weather will increase Wednesday as a storm system tracks from the southern Plains to the mid-Mississippi Valley, and drags a cold front into Arkansas. Ahead of the front, well above average temperatures and humid conditions will create a very unstable environment.

All modes of severe weather are in play. Very large hail up to baseball size and wind gusts up to 80 mph are the main threats, with tornadoes also possible. Heavy downpours may lead to localized flash flooding as well.

Severe Weather Briefing for Arkansas from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

• There is a potential for severe weather today through Wednesday. The greatest risk of severe storms in Arkansas will be on Wednesday.

• In the near term, an outbreak of severe weather is expected in the Plains today. A line of strong/severe storms will approach northwest Arkansas tonight, but should weaken as it progresses into the state during the predawn hours Tuesday. Additional isolated to scattered thunderstorms will pop up Tuesday afternoon, but any severe weather will be spotty.

• Chances for severe weather will increase Wednesday as a storm system tracks from the southern Plains to the mid-Mississippi Valley, and drags a cold front into Arkansas. Ahead of the front, well above average temperatures and humid conditions will create a very unstable environment. All modes of severe weather are in play, including tornadoes. Heavy downpours may lead to localized flash flooding.

Severe Weather Briefing from the NWS Little Rock

• A northward lifting warm front on Friday, in tandem with an approaching dryline from the west in eastern Oklahoma, will initiate an opportunity for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop and move into Arkansas.

• All modes of severe weather will be possible from large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a few tornadoes.

• Excessive rainfall will also accompany this system which will present the risk for flash flooding, especially in vulnerable locations for flash flooding as early as Thursday through Friday night.

Severe Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service in Little Rock

• A powerful storm system in the central Plains will drag a cold front towards Arkansas Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday.

• Ahead of the front, scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop tracking across portions of central and northern Arkansas. Damaging straight-line winds and hail appear to be the primary concern associated with storms Tuesday afternoon.

• An additional round of severe weather will be possible Thursday across portions of the state. Once again damaging winds and hail will be the primary concern with this system.

Severe Weather Briefing Monday night into Tuesday for Arkansas

• After a quiet but breezy/warm weekend, a powerful storm system in the central Plains will drag a cold front toward Arkansas late Monday into late Tuesday night.

• Ahead of the front, scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected from portions of Iowa and Nebraska to northern Texas Monday/Monday night. The focus for possible severe weather will shift eastward into Arkansas on Tuesday.

• Damaging straight-line winds appear the primary thunderstorm hazard across Arkansas, although large hail and a tornado or two will be possible with any supercells that manage to develop ahead of the main line of thunderstorms.

Severe Weather Briefing for Arkansas on Thursday from the National Weather Service

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop in eastern Oklahoma this afternoon and move into Arkansas later this afternoon and early evening. These storms will be capable of all severe hazards through later tonight.

The main changes with this briefing include:

-- An expansion of the "Enhanced Risk" area towards northeastern Arkansas

-- The introduction of a 10% Tornado Risk Area over northwestern to northern central Arkansas

Large and damaging hail remains the primary threat with storms today, though all modes of severe weather will be possible today and tonight.

Click on the attached briefing below for more specific forecast information.

National Weather Service Severe Weather Briefing

A storm system arriving from the southern Plains will bring additional showers and thunderstorms to Arkansas today and tonight.

• Isolated to scattered severe storms could occur across the southern half to one-third of Arkansas today and tonight. The main concern will be large hail and damaging winds, however a tornado can not be ruled out. The environment will be most unstable (warm/moist) toward the Gulf Coast, and that is where damaging winds/a few tornadoes are most favorable.

• The forecast calls for an additional one-quarter of an inch to over one inch of rain across the state today and tonight. Locally heavier amounts are possible in the south and southeast portions of the state. Any flash flooding should be localized.

• Sub-freezing temperatures possible Sunday morning over portions of Arkansas.

Severe storms are possible for the upcoming weekend according to the National Weather Service

• A strong cold front will surge through Arkansas from the Plains on Saturday. The front will trigger showers and thunderstorms.

• There is a risk of severe thunderstorms on Saturday as the front plows into an unseasonably mild (springlike) and unstable environment across the state. Data currently indicates all modes of severe weather (including tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail) will be possible.

• Cooler and more seasonal air will follow the front Saturday night and Sunday. Residual moisture may yield a few snowflakes in the Ozark Mountains before precipitation ends Sunday afternoon.

Severe thunderstorms possible Wednesday and Thursday in Arkansas

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop today out ahead of a cold front, with additional development possible overnight Wednesday right along the cold front.

• Thunderstorms that become severe will be capable of producing damaging winds (up to 60 mph) and marginally severe hail (equal to or greater than 1 inch).

• The best chances for seeing severe thunderstorms will be this afternoon and early evening

An excessive heat warning and the possibility for severe weather in Arkansas on Sunday

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK - Attached is an update to the briefing that was issued. The severe weather outlook area has been greatly expanded with more of the state now in the slight risk area. The other noteworthy change is that heat advisories have been issued for Sunday.

Severe thunderstorm watch issued for the Ark-La-Tex for this afternoon and tonight

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 153 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN ARKANSAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 9 COUNTIES

IN SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS

UNION

IN SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

COLUMBIA HEMPSTEAD HOWARD LAFAYETTE LITTLE RIVER MILLER NEVADA SEVIER

IN LOUISIANA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 9 PARISHES

IN NORTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA

LINCOLN UNION

IN NORTHWEST LOUISIANA

BIENVILLE BOSSIER CADDO CLAIBORNE DE SOTO RED RIVER WEBSTER

IN OKLAHOMA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 1 COUNTY

IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA

MCCURTAIN

IN TEXAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 18 COUNTIES

IN NORTHEAST TEXAS

BOWIE CAMP CASS CHEROKEE FRANKLIN GREGG HARRISON MARION MORRIS NACOGDOCHES PANOLA RED RIVER RUSK SHELBY SMITH TITUS UPSHUR WOOD

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ARCADIA, ASHDOWN, ATLANTA, BERNICE, BIG SANDY, BOGATA, BOSSIER CITY, BRADLEY, BROKEN BOW, CARTHAGE, CENTER, CLARKSVILLE, COUSHATTA, DAINGERFIELD, DE QUEEN, DIERKS, EL DORADO, FARMERVILLE, GIBSLAND, GILMER, HAWKINS, HAYNESVILLE, HENDERSON, HOMER, HOPE, HUGHES SPRINGS, IDABEL, JACKSONVILLE, JEFFERSON, LEWISVILLE, LINDEN, LOGANSPORT, LONE STAR, LONGVIEW, MAGNOLIA, MANSFIELD, MARSHALL, MARTIN, MINDEN, MINEOLA, MINERAL SPRINGS, MOUNT PLEASANT, MOUNT VERNON, NACOGDOCHES, NAPLES, NASHVILLE, OMAHA, PITTSBURG, PRESCOTT, QUEEN CITY, QUITMAN, RINGGOLD, RUSK, RUSTON, SHREVEPORT, SPRINGHILL, STAMPS, STONEWALL, TEXARKANA, TEXARKANA, TYLER, AND WINNSBORO.

Lookout Arkansas! Another round of severe storms on the way for late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning

The potential for widespread severe weather across much of the state remains for later this evening and into the overnight hours. All severe weather hazards will be possible, including damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. 

• Thunderstorms are expected to develop and move across the state from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning.

• Damaging winds, tornadoes and large hail will be possible as storms move across the state.

• Initial storm development may occur across western Arkansas. These storms are expected to be isolated and capable of producing large hail and tornadoes as they move to the northeast.

• By late Tuesday/early Wednesday morning, storms are expected to merge into a line and march east across the state. The main severe weather hazards with the line of storms will be damaging winds and QLCS-type tornadoes.

• Locally heavy rainfall will be possible, but should not be very widespread. The highest amounts are expected across far southern Arkansas.

The National Weather Service indicates additional severe weather expected for Arkansas Tuesday and Wednesday

Rain and thunderstorms that moved across the state overnight have pushed east of the area. Rainfall amounts across southern Arkansas were generally in the 1-2 inch range. Amounts decrease as you go north.  

Mostly dry conditions are expected across the state today, southerly winds could be gusty at times. Very warm temperatures are expected today and Tuesday, highs could approach 90° in some areas both days.  

There will be an opportunity for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop and move across the state from Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. All severe weather hazards appear possible, an enhanced risk of severe weather remains in place. The threat for severe weather should wrap up before noon Wednesday as a cold front moves east of the area.  

Locally heavy rain is possible Tuesday and Wednesday, the highest amounts are expected across far southern Arkansas. 

Severe weather risk for the ArkLaTex Friday

Showers and thunderstorms this morning will decrease in coverage before redevelopment later this afternoon. A squall line is then expected to sweep across the state.with the possibility of strong tornadoes with the best chances over the southeast. 

In addition to the severe threat, flooding is a concern. Several inches of rain fell across parts of northwest Arkansas last night with additional widespread rain expected. The precipitation is expected to exit the state late this evening.

Severe weather risk for Arkansas Thursday and Friday

A strong storm system is expected to bring showers and thunderstorms to the state Thursday through Friday night. Some of these storms could become strong to severe. In addition to the threat for severe weather, there is also a threat for flooding due to the expected heavy rainfall. Please see the attached briefing for more details.

There is a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorm late on Thursday into early Friday, along and mainly north of our I-30 corridor. Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats and locally heavy rainfall could bring isolated flash flooding.

Locally heavy rainfall from a line of strong to possibly severe thunderstorms, could result in isolated flash flooding late Thursday into early Friday with the Slight Risk north of our I-30 corridor.

There is a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorm late on Thursday into early Friday, along and mainly north of our I-30 corridor. Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats and locally heavy rainfall could bring isolated flash flooding.

Locally heavy rainfall from a line of strong to possibly severe thunderstorms, could result in isolated flash flooding late Thursday into early Friday with the Slight Risk north of our I-30 corridor.

A line of strong to severe storms will continue across the area during early Friday with afternoon heating firing up a Slight Risk for severe storms in deep E TX, all of our Parishes and south central AR during the afternoon. Damaging winds and large hail will be the primary threats and locally heavy rainfall could bring isolated flash flooding.