Little Rock, Ark. – Thunderstorms spread across much of Arkansas early Saturday as a cold front anchored in the south kept the strongest activity elevated, reducing the threat of severe weather. Heavy rain and rumbles of thunder moved east and northeast across the state, slowing travel on Interstates 30, 40, and 530.
According to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, most of the storm activity is north of the front, where drier, cooler air is pushing in. That setup is keeping wind and hail risks low, though downpours remain possible through the morning. Radar showed heavier bands stretching from Texarkana to Pine Bluff and east toward Brinkley.
Drivers around Little Rock, Hot Springs, and Pine Bluff could encounter ponding on roads during the morning commute. In western Arkansas, from Fort Smith to Mena, the rain has been tapering, with conditions gradually improving as the line shifts eastward.
Residents in eastern Arkansas, including West Memphis and Jonesboro, should prepare for steady showers before conditions ease by Saturday afternoon. Emergency officials remind residents to avoid driving through flooded low spots and to allow extra travel time.
The unsettled pattern lingers into the weekend, though widespread severe weather is not expected.
