Little Rock, Ark. – Residents across central and northeast Arkansas could wake up to intense thunderstorms Friday morning as a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 9 a.m. CDT.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, the watch covers 21 counties including Craighead, Faulkner, Mississippi, and White, with threats of damaging winds over 60 mph, large hail, and frequent lightning. The strongest storms are expected to pass through Baxter, Marion, and Lawrence counties between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.
In Conway and Searcy, emergency officials advise caution during the morning commute due to the potential for sudden wind gusts and scattered debris. While no tornadoes are currently expected, isolated power outages may occur as trees and lines are stressed by strong winds.
Drivers are urged to delay travel if possible, and residents should secure outdoor items and keep weather alerts enabled on mobile devices. This system follows several days of elevated storm activity across the region.
Severe conditions are expected to taper off after 9 a.m., but additional watches or warnings could be issued later in the day depending on storm development.
