Little Rock, Arkansas – Strong thunderstorms could disrupt travel and knock down trees across much of Arkansas today as a fast-moving storm line sweeps across the state from morning into the evening hours.
According to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, a Slight Risk for severe storms covers much of Arkansas Wednesday, with the most intense activity expected between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. as storms move west to east across the state.
The primary threat will be damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, strong enough to bring down tree limbs and cause scattered power outages. Storms may also produce large hail, potentially reaching golf ball size (1.75 inches) in stronger cells.
Forecasters say a few embedded tornadoes cannot be ruled out, particularly as storms organize into line segments or isolated rotating cells. Areas along and east of the I-30 and I-40 corridors, including Little Rock, Conway, Pine Bluff, West Memphis, and Jonesboro, could see the strongest storms as the system tracks east during the afternoon.
Simulated radar trends show storms developing across western Arkansas early Wednesday morning, spreading into central Arkansas by late morning and early afternoon, and reaching eastern Arkansas by early evening.
Emergency officials urge residents to keep weather alerts enabled and move indoors if warnings are issued. Additional watches or warnings may be issued as storms intensify through Wednesday evening.
