According to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, a powerful storm system will move across the mid-south this weekend with widespread rain and thunderstorms expected Saturday and
Saturday night. Some of the storms could be strong to severe over far southern Arkansas.
If severe storms develop across southern sections of the state, the main concerns would be strong to damaging winds and tornadoes. Hail will also be possible, as far north as central Arkansas.
The limiting factor for this event will be the amount of available instability. Given a lot of clouds and widespread precipitation, the environment will have difficulty warming. This will tend to cut down on the northward extent of severe weather into the state.
There will be areas of heavy rain. Two to three inches of rain will be possible across the southeast half of Arkansas with some locally higher amounts possible. Given the expected heavy downpours associated with thunderstorms across the area, flash flooding will be possible.
Some strong winds will be possible today as well, not directly associated with thunderstorms. Some areas could see winds in excess of 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph possible.
Sunday – Friday
Another storm system will approach the state during the middle of next week. Thunderstorms will be possible, with severe weather not out of the question.