Arkansas to see more storms later this week | What you need to know
After a gorgeous start to the week, Arkansas might see storms later this week. Some storms could be strong to severe. Here’s what you need to know.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — If you weren’t a fan of the cool, gloomy weekend, you’ll love the beginning of this week.
Upper-level ridging returns, and a surface high will develop to our southwest. As a result, southern/southwesterly winds will bring warmer, drier air to the natural state.
Highs on Monday and Tuesday will reach the low to middle 70s under sunny skies.
With the drier air in place, locations across northern Arkansas that have seen insufficient rain totals over the weekend could see an elevated fire risk. As of Sunday, March 9, there are no fire headlines in effect. However, this is something to be aware of through Tuesday.
When are the storms expected to arrive?
By Tuesday evening, the aforementioned surface high will continue east, promoting a southeasterly wind flow locally. Those southeasterly winds will bring more moisture into the state, and highs will remain well above-average.
As an upper-level disturbance approaches on Wednesday, there’ll be enough moisture in place for showers and a few storms to develop overnight Wednesday into Thursday.
This is round 1 of the active second half of the week. There will be a little storm fuel in place, so some storms could be a bit spicy. However, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) hasn’t issued any severe weather headlines/guidance for Wednesday night.
The same cannot be said about round 2 on Friday. Currently, the SPC has the whole state highlighted under a level 2 out of 5, or “slight” risk of severe storms.
A stronger, more potent storm system is expected to move through the state Friday evening, and the ingredients for severe storms look like they’ll be stronger with this round. This is why there’s more confidence in Friday’s severe risk.
However, due to how far out this is, this forecast will change as more updates become available.
Additional details for this week’s active pattern.
How can I stay safe?
With spring storm season underway, it’s important to remember to always have a severe weather plan in place, and a good idea to have your safe place ready in case severe weather warnings are issued.
Remember a “warning” means the event is happening or expected to happen.
A “watch” means the weather favors the chance of an event occurring and you need to be prepared for changing weather conditions.
As always, you can count on our team of expert THV11 meteorologists to provide the most current forecast information and details of the potential for severe weather.
How can I watch for the latest weather information?
If severe weather arises, we will be on air and streaming online as well.
Be sure to download the free THV11 + app on your television and stream our live weather coverage. It is available on Amazon Firestick, Roku, and Apple TV.