Flash-flood watch expands as rain persists

A flash-flood watch is in place for most of Arkansas as a cold front pushes in rain, saturating the state.

Some severe storms are possible Tuesday, but forecasters are keeping their focus on heavy rain.

Severe storms Tuesday will be "isolated and confined to the eastern part of the state during the afternoon and early evening," National Weather Service meteorologist John Robinson said in an email.

The areas recovering from an April 27 tornado — including western Pulaski, Faulkner and White counties – are under a small chance of isolated thunderstorms in late morning or early afternoon, he said.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to diminish across the state as afternoon turns into evening, but another bout of rain will hit late Tuesday night and will last "through a good part of the day Wednesday" but taper that evening, Robinson said.

Rainfall totals through Thursday morning will be lowest in Northwest Arkansas, likely at only 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch, Robinson said. The rest of the state is forecast to receive 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches in many areas, with some spots receiving 2 to 3 inches.

The flash-flood watch, in effect through Wednesday evening, covers parts of central, north-central, southwest and west Arkansas. The following counties are included: Boone, Clark, Conway, Dallas, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Hot Spring, Johnson, Logan, Marion, Montgomery, Newton, Ouachita, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Scott, Searcy, Van Buren and Yell.

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