Forecast updated 8 a.m. Wednesday. Scroll down ? to see the 7-day forecast for Saline County.
The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch in effect until 1:00 p.m. Wednesday.
More about the forecast below, but this watch affects the following counties in Arkansas:
IN CENTRAL ARKANSAS… Conway, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Lonoke, Perry, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, White, Yell
IN EASTERN ARKANSAS… Jackson, Lawrence, Monroe, Randolph, Woodruff
IN NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS… Baxter, Boone, Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Marion, Newton, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren
IN SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS… Arkansas, Bradley, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Jefferson, Lincoln
IN SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS… Calhoun, Clark, Dallas, Hot Spring, Ouachita, Pike
IN WESTERN ARKANSAS… Johnson, Logan, Montgomery, Polk Scott
There is also a wind advisory in effect until 7:00 p.m. Expect south winds up to 25 mph with gusts over 40 mph expected in portions of central, eastern, north central, southeast, southwest and western Arkansas.
Strong and sustained winds across the state Wednesday will make travel extremely hazardous for high profile vehicles, and will create hazardous boating conditions on area bodies of water. Downed trees and limbs may result in localized power outages. Additionally, outdoor items should be secured or brought inside.
Widespread showers and thunderstorms entered western Arkansas in the predawn hours Wednesday morning, with a strong storm system moving across the region. A few strong to severe storms are possible, especially over eastern, and southeastern portions of the state.
Any severe storms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 MPH. A few tornadoes cannot be ruled out as well. There is a lesser threat of large hail. Any stronger storms will also be capable of producing heavy rainfall, which could cause some localized flash flooding issues.
At this time, it appears severe weather will be most likely further south and east of Arkansas. Strong wind conditions are forecast over the state today. Winds of 25 to 30 MPH are expected, particularly over the higher terrain of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, and over eastern Arkansas. Gusts over 40 MPH will be possible as well.
With any heavy rainfall that occurs in the coming days, there may be enough to keep portions of the Black, Cache, Ouachita, and lower White Rivers elevated. This is where minor flooding is ongoing, and will continue in the coming days.
EXTENDED FORECAST: