Tornado warnings issued in eastern Arkansas; at least one tornado confirmed, forecasters say

Much of the state is at an enhanced risk for severe weather on Saturday, according to this National Weather Service graphic.
Much of the state is at an enhanced risk for severe weather on Saturday, according to this National Weather Service graphic.

6:36 P.M. UPDATE:

The weather service has issued a tornado warning for parts of Monroe and Arkansas counties, including Holly Grove and Casscoe, effective until 7 p.m.

6:20 P.M. UPDATE:

A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Prairie and Monroe counties until 7 p.m., according to the weather service.

5:10 P.M. UPDATE:

Eleven counties, mostly in central and southeast Arkansas, have been added to the tornado watch that is in effect until 8 p.m. They are: Lonoke, Prairie, Monroe, Arkansas, Bradley, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Jefferson and Lincoln.

4:45 P.M. UPDATE:

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for parts of Grant, Dallas, and Hot Spring counties in south central Arkansas, effective until 5:15 p.m.

2:45 P.M. UPDATE:

A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Madison and Franklin counties, effective until 3:15 p.m. A tornado warning also remains in effect for portions of Crawford County until 3:15 p.m.

2:27 P.M. UPDATE:

A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Crawford County, effective until 3:15 p.m., according to the weather service.

2:24 P.M. UPDATE:

A tornado warning has been issued for parts of Logan and Franklin counties, effective until 2:45 p.m., forecasters said.

2:04 P.M. UPDATE:

Forecasters confirmed a tornado is moving into the south side of Fort Smith. The weather service advised residents to take immediate shelter, as winds of up to 78 mph have been reported.

2:00 P.M. UPDATE:

A tornado warning has been issued for portions of Sebastian County, until 2:30 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Tulsa.

A tornado watch is in effect for much of the rest of the western half of the state until 8 p.m., forecasters said.

UPDATE:

A tornado watch has been issued for Northwest Arkansas until 5 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Impacted counties include Benton, Washington, Carroll, Crawford, Madison, Sebastian and Franklin. According to the weather service, parts of Oklahoma and Texas are under a tornado watch as well.

A tornado watch has been issued for much of the western half of Arkansas, forecasters said. The watch will remain in effect until 8 p.m.
A tornado watch has been issued for much of the western half of Arkansas, forecasters said. The watch will remain in effect until 8 p.m.

EARLER:

Strong thunderstorms are expected to move through Arkansas beginning Saturday afternoon and continuing through early Sunday, with the southwest half of the state at the greatest risk for damaging winds, large hail and possible tornadoes, forecasters said.

All but the easternmost portions of the state are under an enhanced risk of experiencing severe weather, a briefing by the National Weather Service states. Those areas not under an enhanced risk still face a slight risk of severe weather, however, the weather service said.

The most significant threat from this system comes from damaging winds, forecasters predicted. However, much of Arkansas is also at a moderate risk for experiencing large hail and tornadoes.

This National Weather Service graphic shows the predicted timing of storms as they make their way eastward across the state on Saturday afternoon.
This National Weather Service graphic shows the predicted timing of storms as they make their way eastward across the state on Saturday afternoon.

If tornadoes develop, the weather service said, they could be strong.

The storms are expected to enter the state from the west at about 3 p.m., continuing east over the course of the afternoon and into the evening.

Rainfall totals are expected to be between 1 to 2 inches for much of Arkansas, according to the weather service. Pockets of the state, most notably in the southeast, could see up to 3 inches of rain. This could result in localized flash flooding.

Check back for further updates.

Most of Arkansas is expected to see between 1 to 2 inches of rain Saturday through early Sunday, according to this graphic by the National Weather Service.
Most of Arkansas is expected to see between 1 to 2 inches of rain Saturday through early Sunday, according to this graphic by the National Weather Service.

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