Little Rock, Arkansas – Severe storms capable of producing tornadoes are pushing across central and southwest Arkansas early Saturday, prompting a Tornado Watch that covers much of the state through the morning hours.
According to the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Tornado Watch 22 remains in effect until 8 a.m. CST Saturday for 35 counties across central, western, and southern Arkansas, including the Little Rock metro area.
The watch includes major population centers such as Little Rock, Conway, Hot Springs, Russellville, Benton, Arkadelphia, Camden, Hope, and Magnolia. Counties under the watch include Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline, Garland, White, Lonoke, Pope, Clark, Columbia, Miller, and Ouachita, among many others stretching across central and southern portions of the state.
Storms moving through the region could produce damaging wind gusts, large hail, and isolated tornadoes, especially along key corridors including Interstate 30, Interstate 40, and Interstate 530.
Emergency officials urge residents to keep multiple ways to receive warnings, particularly while sleeping during the overnight hours. Mobile alerts and NOAA Weather Radios can provide immediate notice if tornado warnings are issued.
The tornado watch remains active until 8 a.m. Saturday, and additional warnings could develop quickly if storms intensify while moving east across Arkansas.
