LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A bright midweek calm across central Arkansas will give way to a stormy Fall shift by Friday night, bringing the season’s first organized round of thunderstorms and cooler air to the metro area.
According to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, dry skies and highs in the low to mid-80s will continue through Thursday, but a cold front approaching from the west will trigger showers and possible thunderstorms late Friday into Saturday. The agency warns that gusts up to 20 mph and brief heavy rainfall could slow drivers along I-30, I-40, and I-530, especially during Saturday morning commutes or local pumpkin patch events.
Residents planning outdoor gatherings, football games, or Fall festivals should keep backup indoor plans and secure decorations before the front arrives. By Saturday evening, conditions will turn noticeably cooler and breezier, signaling a shift toward more seasonable mid-October air.
Rain chances taper Saturday night with lingering clouds before clearer, cooler conditions return Sunday. Highs will dip into the lower 70s by early next week, with mornings turning crisp—ideal for leaf-viewing trips across the Ouachita foothills or fall hikes in Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
Meteorologists say this transition marks the start of a more active Fall weather pattern, hinting at another cold front possible before Halloween.
Five-Day Forecast for Little Rock, AR:
Wed: 83/58 – Sunny and mild; light northeast wind.
Thu: 84/62 – Mostly cloudy; turning breezy late.
Fri: 88/68 – Mostly sunny early; late storms possible.
Sat: 81/58 – Showers, possible thunder; gusty winds.
Sun: 73/51 – Clearing skies; cooler and crisp.
