Little Rock, Ark. – A tornado watch has been issued for 43 counties across Arkansas, including Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Hot Springs, as a line of severe storms builds Sunday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, Tornado Watch 154 will remain in effect until 7 p.m. CDT. Counties under the watch stretch from the Ozarks to the southern border, covering major population centers and highways such as I-40, I-30, and US-71.
The greatest threat includes damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph, large hail, and the possibility of tornadoes forming in fast-moving cells. Residents in Pulaski, Washington, Benton, and surrounding counties should be prepared to take shelter quickly if warnings are issued.
Travelers are urged to stay weather-aware, especially along rural routes in Boone, Madison, and Newton counties where visibility may drop rapidly. Mobile homes and outdoor structures are particularly vulnerable. Keep cell phones charged and emergency kits ready.
This is the first large-scale tornado watch of April for Arkansas, and officials say conditions resemble a similar outbreak in April 2021.
Further updates are expected throughout the day. Tornado warnings may follow for specific areas as storms intensify.
