Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansans should prepare now for multiple rounds of steady rain March 5-11 that could flood low-lying roads and trigger sharp rises on rivers statewide.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, Arkansas falls within a 60 to 70 percent chance of above-normal precipitation during the March 5-11 period. The wet corridor stretches from the Upper Midwest through the Mississippi Valley and into the Gulf Coast, signaling repeated rainfall events rather than a single storm. Temperatures are also expected to trend above average, increasing runoff potential.
In Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville and Jonesboro, most precipitation will fall as rain, with periods of moderate to heavy downpours possible. Warmer air will dominate through the period, eliminating concerns for wintry weather and allowing rainfall to move efficiently into area streams.
Heavier bands may create ponding along Interstates 30, 40 and 49, especially in urban areas and low-lying stretches prone to poor drainage. The Arkansas, White and Ouachita rivers could see noticeable rises if repeated rain tracks over the same counties.
Residents should clear storm drains, check sump pumps and avoid driving through water-covered roads. The unsettled pattern remains active through March 11, and additional flood advisories could be issued if rainfall totals trend higher.
