Most of Arkansas is still experiencing some form of drought, but the driest conditions have left the state after a wet week. And forecasters say additional rain is expected in a storm system that could bring severe weather.
Dry conditions are still affecting more than 75 percent of Arkansas, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor published Thursday, which reflects conditions through Tuesday. But severe, extreme and exceptional drought conditions have vanished from the survey's map after covering 45 percent of the state as recently as two weeks ago.
The southern half of Arkansas continues to be the most affected by the drought, and about 22 percent of the state is still experiencing moderate drought, according to the monitor.
Halloween weekend saw rains sweep across much of the state, and forecasters say severe weather in the form of heavy rain and thunderstorms could hit much of the state Thursday night.
Chris Buonanno, science and operations officer for the weather service in North Little Rock, said the storm system has a chance to produce some smaller tornadoes and advised people to keep track of weather alerts.
"I do think by the time the storm gets this far east, the most severe threat will be heavy wind," Buonanno said.
While the storm system will likely move east of Arkansas by Friday morning, Buonanno said the rainfall "could have an effect on the drought situation."
National Weather Service forecasts Thursday morning indicated that Little Rock could see 1 to 2 inches of rain Thursday night, while parts of the Ouachita Mountains could experience up to 3 inches.
The weather service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for most of the state through Thursday.