LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A quiet, star-filled sky hangs over central Arkansas this morning, the air crisp but calm — a sure sign of a stretch of dry, stable weather ahead. By Thursday and Friday, that calm gives way to a near-record November warmup that could push afternoon highs close to 80°F before rain chances reemerge early next week.
The National Weather Service in Little Rock reports that Thursday will be mostly sunny and mild, with highs near 73°F and a gentle south wind. By Friday, temperatures jump toward 78°F — nearly 15 degrees above seasonal norms — as dry air and high pressure dominate the region. Saturday looks equally warm, around 79°F, making it an ideal day for outdoor work, leaf cleanup, or early holiday decorating.
Residents across the Arkansas River Valley and along I-40 can expect near-perfect travel conditions through Saturday, with no major hazards or visibility issues anticipated. Winds remain light through midweek but may pick up slightly Friday into Saturday as a pre-frontal breeze develops from the southwest.
By late Sunday, clouds increase and a subtle shift begins. A weak front will introduce a 20% chance of showers by Sunday afternoon, with a more noticeable rain chance (around 40%) arriving Monday and lingering into early Tuesday. Thunderstorms remain possible but are not expected to turn severe at this time.
The upcoming warm spell marks one of the last mild streaks before Thanksgiving travel season begins. Long-range models hint at cooler, wetter conditions late next week — a reminder that Arkansas’ winter transition is just around the corner. For now, this late-fall “pause” offers a window of easy travel, open skies, and unseasonably comfortable afternoons across the state.
Five-Day Outlook for Little Rock, AR:
Thu: 73/56 – Mostly sunny, light winds.
Fri: 78/58 – Sunny, unseasonably warm.
Sat: 79/59 – Mostly sunny, breezy at times.
Sun: 74/55 – Partly cloudy, 20% chance of showers.
Mon: 73/56 – Cloudy, 40% chance of rain and a few storms.
