textproduct: Little Rock

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 1100 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026

-Flood watch remains in effect for parts of north, west and central Arkansas until 7PM Monday.

-Strong to severe storms possible Sunday overnight into Monday; all modes of severe weather are possible

-A swath of 2-4" inches of rain is likely along or near the I-40 corridor early Monday morning. Localized 6+ inches is possible.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1100 PM CDT Sun Jun 21 2026

A Flood Watch is in effect for portions of W, N, and C AR until 7PM Monday. Recent CAM trends have been fairly consistently be producing a swath of heavy rainfall along or near the I-40 corridor. Exact placement remains variable but confidence in a 2-4" in QPF swath with localized 6+ inch totals is growing. The highest rainfall totals will be where convection along an outflow boundary in S MO stalls in N AR, and an approaching MCS from KS/OK overlap.

Mesoanalysis still supports a QLCS threat in W AR. MLCAPE between 2500-3000J/kg along the AR/OK border dropping off to around 1500- 2000J/kg closer to the Little Rock metro. 0-3km SRH values between 100-150 m2/s2 as well as an increasing LLJ would support a conditional QLCS type tornado threat in bowing segments of the line. Point soundings show a decent layer of dry air aloft with DCAPE values >1000J/kg values would support depending rear inflow jets with potently damaging winds as the line enters the state. Relatively meager lapse rates and quick storm motion likely limits the hail risk to only the strongest of updrafts overnight. The most likely area for impactful severe weather would be in the Wstrn 1/3 of the state before this line loses most of its punch and transitions to a primary hydro threat.

Areas to the S of the line on Tuesday morning have a chance for scattered rain and t'storms. Recent CAM/HREF runs suggest that the heavier rainfall amounts will generate a stronger cold pool boundary making moisture recovery into S AR difficult with weak low level flow; this should limit PoPs to areas that do not receive any rainfall with the event Monday morning.

Through at least the midweek upper NWrly H500 flow will promote several shortwaves and associated MCS to form off the Rockies daily. Exact placement and impacts would have to be determined in a later forecast as mid-range model solutions are still quite wide in scope. Moisture return begins Tues. with return of Srthly sfc winds. Dewpoints in the low to mid 70s will creep into SW AR and have apparent T's approaching 100 with an increase in deeper moisture.

High temps and apparent T's will continue to rise into the late week as Srthly flow continues to bring balmy conditions across the Natural State. Long range signals continue to show a more active pattern due to the elongated ridge across Central CONUS. Several rounds of rain are possible through at least Friday before a sfc high begins to build over the Red River Valley next weekend returning drier conditions towards the end of the month.

AVIATION

(12Z TAFS) Issued at 638 AM CDT Mon Jun 22 2026

An ongoing MCS line will impact all terminals across the FA as it pushes across the state. Gusty winds along the leading edge and IFR CIGs will be pressent as this first moves over TAF sites. Behind the line heavy rain will last for several hours with improvements to MVFR CIGs. Rain and t'storms should begin to move out of the area by mid afternoon.

AVIATION

(06Z TAFS) Issued at 1222 AM CDT Mon Jun 22 2026

Convection is starting to initiate both over northern Arkansas and over parts of OK. Convection will continue to fill in through the night. Line of strong thunderstorms will make its way across the state bringing gusty winds and reduced visibility. VFR conditions initially will deteriorate to MVFR and possibly IFR as the convection approaches and passes over each terminal. Winds will average under 10 knots except in and near thunderstorms where winds will be much gustier.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Batesville AR 85 67 82 68 / 70 30 40 50 Camden AR 89 71 88 72 / 80 60 50 20 Harrison AR 80 66 79 68 / 50 20 40 60 Hot Springs AR 87 71 84 72 / 90 60 70 20 Little Rock AR 87 70 83 71 / 80 60 60 40 Monticello AR 89 72 86 73 / 80 60 60 40 Mount Ida AR 86 71 84 72 / 90 60 70 20 Mountain Home AR 80 66 80 68 / 50 20 40 60 Newport AR 86 68 84 69 / 80 30 40 50 Pine Bluff AR 87 71 84 71 / 90 70 70 40 Russellville AR 87 71 83 71 / 70 60 60 40 Searcy AR 87 68 83 69 / 80 30 40 50 Stuttgart AR 87 71 83 72 / 90 50 50 50

LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Flood Watch through this evening for ARZ004>008-014>017-024-025- 031>034-039-042>046-103-112-113-121>123-130-137-138-140-141-203- 212-213-221>223-230-237-238-240-241-313-340-341.