Severe weather forecast in sections of Arkansas

Storms moving through Arkansas today are forecast to produce strong winds, large hail and the potential for isolated tornadoes in parts of the state, according to the National Weather Service.

Colby Pope, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in North Little Rock, said that the storms will move from northwest to southeast across the state today.

“These storms could possibly produce quarter-sized hail, winds as strong as 60 mph and an isolated tornado could not be ruled out,” Pope said Wednesday morning. “The greatest chance for a tornado is northeast Arkansas. Conditions there will be most favorable for an isolated tornado.”

The storms could be really hit-or-miss as well, Pope said.

“This might be one of these scenarios where places across the state don’t get a drop of rain tomorrow and some areas get up to half an inch,” the forecaster said.

The National Weather Service announced that the severe weather threat for Arkansas had been upgraded on Wednesday afternoon in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, just before 1 p.m.

“Damaging wind potential has increased prompting a slight risk of severe weather to be extended over a large portion of Arkansas,” the post said.

Much of northern and Central Arkansas, including Little Rock, Harrison, Jonesboro, Conway, Fort Smith and Hot Springs, are at a slight risk of severe weather.

A slight risk of severe weather is defined by the weather service as “scattered severe storms possible.”

Other parts of the state, including Fayetteville, Pine Bluff and El Dorado, are at a marginal risk for severe weather.

A marginal risk for severe weather means isolated thunderstorms are possible, but they may be limited in duration, coverage or intensity, the weather service said.

Pope said the storms should be in the northwest portions of Arkansas by early this afternoon or evening.

“We will likely see any storms in the Central Arkansas or Little Rock Metro area from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.,” the forecaster said.

He said people in Little Rock should be mindful as they plan their commute home or if any after school activities or sports are happening.

“Especially with the chance of strong wind or large hail, and lightning is always a concern, it would be good to keep an eye on things,” Pope said. “People in Little Rock should be able to kind of watch how quickly the storms move in the northwest and it should help them plan their evening.”

Pope added that he would suggest that Arkansans be vigilant all around the state today.

“Don’t get too fixated on the categories, some people might think they are safe because they are at a marginal risk instead of a slight risk,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be vigilant. I would be vigilant all across the state tomorrow.”

The storms are set to be out of the state by 4 a.m. on Friday morning, the forecaster said.

Rain is forecast to return to parts of Arkansas over the weekend, he said.