Part of Arkansas faces upgraded risk of severe weather over holiday weekend, forecasters say

The northern half of Arkansas faces an enhanced-to-moderate risk for severe weather Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. By Sunday morning, much of the state will still face a slight risk for storms.
The northern half of Arkansas faces an enhanced-to-moderate risk for severe weather Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. By Sunday morning, much of the state will still face a slight risk for storms.

Forecasters say Arkansas’ two northernmost rows of counties now face a moderate risk for storms to turn severe over the holiday weekend.

That area of the state — which includes Bentonville, Rogers, Harrison, Mountain Home and Batesville — is expected to see the great risk for strong tornadoes and destructive hail.

A moderate risk, above the enhanced category and just below the highest threat level possible, carries the potential for long-lived, widespread and intense storms.

“While uncertainty exists on whether storms can form and become mature, any storm that does form will have the potential to produce very large hail and damaging winds,” the weather service said.

Storms are forecast to develop by Saturday afternoon just outside the state and will push southward into the northern half of Arkansas by the late evening hours.

During the overnight hours into Sunday morning, the potential for more organized thunderstorms in Arkansas will increase as a cold front moves in, meteorologists said.

In the state’s central region, a large swath stretching from Arkansas’ western to eastern borders faces an enhanced risk for severe weather over the weekend.

Cities included in the enhanced area are Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, West Memphis and Russellville.

That means that storms could produce damaging winds, large hail and a “few brief tornadoes,” according to the latest advisory.

The storm threat also brings the possibility of localized heavy rainfall, which could result in isolated flash flooding and hazardous conditions on waterways in the state.

By Sunday morning, a slight risk for severe weather will still be in place for all but the northwest corner of Arkansas.

Meteorologists predict that much of the state could see additional thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours Sunday.

Damaging winds, large hail and locally heavy rainfall will be the primary threats at that time.

The weather service and state parks officials advised anyone planning to get out on lakes and rivers to have a plan, check water levels and wear a life jacket.

About 39 million travelers are expected to be out and about this Memorial Day weekend, with the bulk of them driving to their destinations, according to the American Automobile Association.

That is the highest level since 2005, the nonprofit agency said.

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