Parts of Arkansas under slight risk for severe storms

This graphic shows areas under a slight risk for severe storms on Thursday afternoon and evening.
This graphic shows areas under a slight risk for severe storms on Thursday afternoon and evening.

UPDATE:

Roughly the northern half of Arkansas is under a slight risk for severe storms Thursday evening as a complex of thunderstorms moves into the area from southern Missouri, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters said an area east of Fort Smith and Arkadelphia is most likely to experience the severe weather.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms with damaging winds up to 60 mph are possible, the weather service said in a statement. Additionally, a high amount of moisture in the air from recent rains could cause heavy precipitation, increasing the threat of local flooding.

The threat of hail and tornadoes is low but can't be entirely ruled out.

EARLIER:

An advisory is in effect for most of Arkansas as heat index values reach some of the highest levels of the year, forecasters said.

The National Weather Service in North Little Rock said the heat index will range from 105 to 110 degrees across central and southern Arkansas. The index measures how hot the temperature feels when humidity is factored in.

The advisory, which covers all of the state except 12 counties in north and north-central Arkansas, runs through 9 p.m. An advisory spanning the same time is set for Friday, when temperatures are predicted to be even warmer.

Recent rains have brought cooler temperatures but added moisture that has caused the heat index to skyrocket, National Weather Service meteorologist Heather Cross said.

"Warm temperatures mixed with moist air mass is what gives you such high heat index values," she said. "Once we start warming up, we’re going to warm up quickly."

Actual temperatures, although lower than the heat index, will also remain high and could reach 100 in the southwest corner of the state, forecasters said.

In Little Rock, meteorologists said the temperature will peak around 97, just a few degrees shy of the triple-digit weather that came through last week. The city's record high was reached Aug. 3 2011 when temperatures soared to 114 degrees, Cross said.

The weather service urged people to stay indoors because of the blistering heat. Forecasters said anyone who had to be outside should stay in the shade, take breaks and drink plenty of water.

"It’s getting to the point where it’s going to be hazardous," Cross said.

She added that a slight cool down is expected to move through the area Saturday night into Sunday morning, bringing temperatures in the lower 90s. That cold front is expected to linger, causing below-average temperatures through the end of the month.

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