Little Rock, AR – Baseball-sized hail and damaging winds could impact much of Arkansas on Friday as a powerful severe weather system moves across the state.
According to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, an Enhanced Risk (Level 3 of 5) has been issued for central and western Arkansas on April 4. The most significant threats include hail up to 2.75 inches in diameter, wind gusts exceeding 80 mph, and the potential for isolated EF2 or stronger tornadoes.
The enhanced area includes Little Rock, Fort Smith, Conway, Jonesboro, and Russellville, where storms are likely to develop by mid-afternoon and intensify into the evening hours. Counties from Texarkana to Mountain Home may experience strong storms, with slightly reduced but still notable risks in southern areas like Pine Bluff and El Dorado.
Residents are urged to secure outdoor objects, review severe weather plans, and stay weather aware by enabling emergency alerts on mobile devices. The risk of large hail makes vehicle protection and sheltering indoors critical during active storm periods.
This storm system follows similar conditions seen Thursday, continuing an active severe weather pattern for the region as spring storm season intensifies.
More updates will follow as conditions evolve.
