Forecasters: Parts of Arkansas at risk for severe weather; tornado watches active in state

The National Weather Service predicts severe thunderstorms, strong winds and thunderstorms are possible as a warm front moves into southeastern Arkansas. (Graphic by National Weather Service)
The National Weather Service predicts severe thunderstorms, strong winds and thunderstorms are possible as a warm front moves into southeastern Arkansas. (Graphic by National Weather Service)

7:37 P.M. UPDATE:

The National Weather Service in North Little Rock issued a tornado watch at 7:05 p.m. for Arkansas, Bradley, Desha, Drew, Lincoln and Monroe counties, which will expire at 3 a.m. Tuesday. A tornado watch issued from the weather service office in Memphis, Tenn. includes the Arkansas counties of Crittenden, Lee, Phillips and St. Francis. It also ends at 3 a.m.

The weather service office in North Little Rock canceled a flash flood warning for Lonoke, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, White and Woodruff counties, which had been sent out earlier in the evening.

A weather statement for southeastern Desha and southeastern Drew counties advised of a strong thunderstom near McGehee that could bring half-inch hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph to the area.

5:55 P.M. UPDATE:

A flash flood warning was issued for several Arkansas counties shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday, and three southeastern counties in the state continued under a tornado watch.

Meteorologist Sean Clarke with the National Weather Service office in North Little Rock said that "high rainfall rates and rush hour" contributed to the flash flood warning, which was directed at Lonoke, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, White and Woodruff counties, and will continue until 8 p.m. Water flowed over Crystal Hill Road in Pulaski County around 5:30 p.m., the weather service reported. A flash flood was also reported in Lonoke County, with water over Dogwood Lane shortly before 6 p.m.

A weather advisory for central Grant and east central Hot Spring counties warned of a strong thunderstorm with wind gusts up to 50 mph and "torrential rainfall." The advisory is in effect until 6:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service office in Jackson, Miss. issued a tornado watch shortly after 4 p.m. for parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, including Union, Ashley and Chicot counties. The watch will expire at 11 p.m.

EARLIER:

Severe storms capable of producing damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are possible across the southeastern half of Arkansas on Monday, according to the National Weather Service in North Little Rock.

The severe weather is possible due to a warm front that forecasters expect to move north into Arkansas late in the afternoon, a weather service report stated. Throughout the state, scattered storms are expected, bringing the possibility of lightning and hail, forecasters said.

According to the weather service, the severe weather threat in the afternoon and evening will be tied to the position of the warm front. If the front moves farther north into Arkansas, severe storms will be possible deeper into the state.

Rain totals in the southeast half of the state are expected to range from a quarter to three quarters of an inch. Between a quarter and half an inch is expected in Little Rock, forecasters said.

Central Arkansas can expect an 80 percent chance of rain throughout the day, with the possibility of thunderstorms in the afternoon, the weather service said. According to the report, temperatures in Little Rock are expected to be in the mid 60s during the day and drop to the low 50s during the evening.

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