Little Rock, Ark. – Baseball-size hailstones could hammer parts of Arkansas tonight as severe thunderstorms gain strength across the state, prompting urgent warnings from meteorologists.
According to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, large hail remains a “very large concern” through late Monday night, with stones potentially reaching 2.75 inches or more in diameter. These hailstones require extreme updrafts—near or above 100 mph—to form, and current model data supports that potential. Storms began developing early this evening and are expected to intensify over the next several hours.
Communities across central and southern Arkansas, including Pine Bluff, Hot Springs, and Stuttgart, should prepare for damaging hail capable of breaking windows, denting vehicles, and injuring anyone caught outside. Power outages and localized flooding from heavy rain may also accompany the storms. The threat could extend north toward Conway and Searcy if storm cells continue to build.
Residents are urged to move vehicles under cover, secure outdoor items, and stay indoors away from windows. If driving, avoid travel until the storms pass, as hail can reduce visibility and damage windshields.
Severe thunderstorm warnings may be issued with little notice. Alerts remain in effect into early Tuesday morning, with more updates expected overnight.
