Much of Arkansas faces enhanced risk for severe weather over holiday weekend

The northern half of Arkansas faces an enhanced risk for severe weather during the Memorial Day weekend, according to the National Weather Service in North Little Rock.
The northern half of Arkansas faces an enhanced risk for severe weather during the Memorial Day weekend, according to the National Weather Service in North Little Rock.

Severe thunderstorms are possible across much of Arkansas as motorists pack their bags and travel this Memorial Day weekend, meteorologists say.

Widespread storms are forecast to develop in eastern Oklahoma late Saturday evening and will push into western Arkansas by early Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in North Little Rock.

Forecasters say the "potential for more organized thunderstorms will increase as a cold front drops south into the state" overnight.

The primary threats associated with the system will be damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes, particularly across northern Arkansas.

That portion of the state faces an enhanced risk for weather to turn severe, meaning more persistent, widespread storms are possible.

Areas including Little Rock, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, Conway, Fort Smith and Fayetteville could see a few tornadoes, several reports of wind damage and hail up to 2 inches in diameter, forecasters said.

A large swath of southern Arkansas is in a slight risk for severe weather.

That portion, which includes Texarkana, Pine Bluff and El Dorado, could see scattered reports of wind and hail damage.

“Some locally heavy rain may also be seen, resulting in an isolated flash flood threat,” the weather service said.

By Sunday morning, the threat for severe weather is expected to decrease across Arkansas. More storms will be possible later that day, especially in southern portions of the state.

Travel during the holiday is expected to be at its highest level since 2005, according to the American Automobile Association.

The nonprofit agency predicts that 39.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more over the Memorial Day weekend.

Of that figure, about 88 percent, or 34.6 million, will drive to their destinations, according to a statement.

Upcoming Events