A cold front moving into Arkansas is set to bring heavy rain this weekend, forecasters said Friday, with much of the state expected to get 3 to 5 inches.
According to the National Weather Service's North Little Rock office, heavy rain could begin Friday afternoon in Northwest Arkansas as the system slows down when it reaches the state. The precipitation will spread into central Arkansas later in the evening and overnight.
Heavy rain is possible throughout most of the state Saturday and early Sunday, the agency said.
Five-day rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches are possible across much of the state, the briefing says, while a smaller section of western Arkansas may see 4 to 6 inches.
Forecasters said the precipitation will increase the risk of flash flooding through Sunday morning. A flash flood watch has been issued for Northwest Arkansas and parts of west-central Arkansas, including Little Rock.
The forecast was already affecting some weekend plans.
North Little Rock High School moved the time of its home game against Little Rock Central to 6:30 p.m. because of possible storms. Pulaski Academy moved up its home game against Little Rock Fair to 6 p.m.
Arkansas Pregnancy Resource Center moved its first Night of Praise event scheduled for Saturday evening to Little Rock's River Market Pavilions instead of the First Security Amphitheater.
Crowley’s Ridge State Park in northeast Arkansas canceled its Great Arkansas Cleanup set for Saturday due to a "100 percent chance of rain," according to a statement.
In Beebe, the city's fall festival was postponed a week and will now be held Sept. 29. The Fallin' Blackbird 5K will go on as scheduled Saturday, the city's Chamber of Commerce said.