Severe-weather system to enter the state Sunday

A powerful storm system will move across the Plains today and enter Arkansas on Sunday, bringing with it heavy rains, strong winds and the potential for tornadoes, National Weather Service meteorologists said Friday.

Some areas in southeast and central Arkansas are forecast to receive 3-5 inches of rain as the system slowly crosses the state before leaving Tuesday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center rated the southwestern region of the state, along with eastern Texas and northwestern Louisiana, as having a “moderate” risk for tornadic activity during the three days the storm system passes through Arkansas.

“This one needs to be closely watched,” said weather service meteorologist Chuck Rickard of North Little Rock. “This will be the best potential for severe weather so far this spring. People need to keep track of the forecasts.”

The storm system follows one earlier this week that doused much of the state with rains and featured high winds and lightning strikes.

On Thursday, nearly an inch of rain fell on southeastern Arkansas as a cold front clashed with temperatures that reached 80 degrees in some spots.

Six people who were working on a Southwestern Energy natural-gas wellhead in Faulkner County were struck by lightning Thursday afternoon. Their names were not available Friday.

Three of the four who were transported to Conway Regional Medical Center were released, said medical center spokesman Lori Ross. The other was admitted and was listed in fair condition Friday.

Conditions of the two others, who were taken to Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, were not available Friday.

Light rains would be welcomed by rice farmers in Arkansas County, said Grant Beckwith, an extension agent in Stuttgart. However, lots of precipitation would likely put farmers behind in their planting.

“The heavy rains that they are predicting could wash out the fresh levees in the rice field,” Beckwith said. “One inch of rain would be wonderful in getting applied chemicals active. Any more rain than that would not be good.”

Arkansas’ spring weather has been mild so far, Rickard said. The weather service has confirmed only one tornado this year - an EF-1 twister that touched down in Franklin County on April 13.

“We’re in a transitional period between cool air and the warm, moist air of spring,” Rickard said. “It’s been fairly quiet so far this year. We’re behind in the process.

“But this [approaching] system has some strong dynamics in place. If we get an active period like this looks, we could get caught up quickly.”

Arkansas, Pages 12 on 04/26/2014

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