Severe weather possible across state

Storms capable of producing large hail or strong winds are forecast for much of the state this afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service said.

“A slight risk of strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible on Tuesday as a strong storm system moves through the region. Large hail is expected to be the primary hazard followed by damaging straight-line winds,” the weather service stated in a post on their website.

The briefing also stated that winds could be up to 60 mph, hail could be as big as a quarter and there is a chance for an isolated tornado.

Most of Arkansas, including Little Rock, Conway, Fayetteville, Harrison, Jonesboro and Hot Springs, are at slight risk for severe weather, the briefing stated.

According to the weather service, a slight risk for severe weather means scattered severe storms are possible.

Parts of eastern Arkansas, including West Memphis, Pine Bluff and El Dorado, have a marginal risk of seeing severe weather. That means isolated severe storms are possible.

Chris Buonanno, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in North Little Rock, said the storms are forecast to form mainly during the afternoon and early evening hours.

The forecaster said it would be important for Arkansans to have a way to get alerts from the weather service and have a plan ready to put into action should severe weather hit their area.

He also said that before the storms start to form, Arkansans can expect to feel some wind.

“It’ll be a breezy day, with winds around 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 40 mph ahead of the cold front,” Buonanno said.

Today’s storms are forecast to produce an inch of rain in the Little Rock area, he said.

Flash flooding is not a major concern, the forecaster said, because of the rainfall rate.

“Rainfall rate is also something we consider,” Buonanno said. “Sometimes it is not how much rain but how fast it falls. The storms for tomorrow look as if they’ll move quickly and might not impact the same areas for long.”

Temperatures might cool slightly today but should warm back up for Wednesday, and then another round of rain is expected on Thursday, with some severe weather possible.

Buonanno said that this is the expected weather pattern for this time of year.

“We’re focusing on Tuesday right now, but we’re on guard for Thursday as well and will know more after the storms pass tomorrow,” he said.