Severe storms bring chance for tornadoes

Severe storms are possible for parts of Arkansas at times during the rest of the workweek, including a system Thursday that could spawn tornadoes, the National Weather Service said.

Chris Buonanno, science and operations officer for the agency's North Little Rock office, said in a statement that tornadoes aren't expected to be a significant threat in the first chances for severe weather Wednesday. But large hail and damaging winds will be possible later in the day, Buonanno said, noting that the Storm Prediction Center lists the whole state under a marginal risk for severe storms.

"It would not surprise us in the least to see this upgraded to a slight risk with many of the same atmospheric ingredients in place that were seen yesterday," he said.

Chances for severe storms will return Thursday, particularly across western Arkansas in the early evening.

"In addition to large hail and damaging winds, it does appear that there will be the possibility of tornadoes," Buonanno said. "At this moment, the highest threat for a tornado would be across west central Arkansas."

Severe storms packing damaging winds and large hail will again be possible Friday, particularly in southeast Arkansas, Buonanno said.

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