textproduct: Little Rock

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 1250 AM CDT Sun Oct 18 2026

-Warming trend back to above normal levels are possible by the end of the work week and possibly longer.

-No significant rainfall is expected for the next week or so with drought conditions continuing to worsen.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1250 AM CDT Sun Oct 18 2026

Satellite early this morning shows clear skies over the Natural state with light and variable winds. Temperatures early this morning are in the upper 40s to lower 50s across the state. Lows this morning will bottom out in the upper 30s across parts of northern Arkansas with lower to mid 30s not out of the question across higher elevations. A Frost Advisory has been issued for Fulton, Izard, and Sharp counties from 4 am through 8 am . For the southern two thirds of Arkansas, temperatures will bottom out in the lower 40s around sunrise early this morning.

As we head into next week, both ensemble and deterministic model data shows high pressure remains in control of the weather across the state. Winds will veer from the north/northeast to east/ southeast by Monday afternoon. Light winds will persist through the entire work week and possibly longer. This will allow for warmer air to be pulled north back into the state. Temperatures early part the work week will be as much as 3 to 5 degrees above normal, then 10 to 15 degrees above normal for afternoon highs for the latter part of the work week into early next weekend.

Little to no rainfall is in the forecast within Arkansas over the next 5 to 7 days and possibly longer. This will lead to worsening drought conditions across the state.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 614 PM CDT Sun Oct 18 2026

Widespread VFR conditions are expected through the period. Most clear skies are expected with high level clouds likely by the end of the period. Winds will mostly be out of the southeast through the period.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Batesville AR 43 75 45 76 / 0 0 0 0 Camden AR 44 79 44 80 / 0 0 0 0 Harrison AR 42 75 46 75 / 0 0 0 0 Hot Springs AR 46 79 47 79 / 0 0 0 0 Little Rock AR 46 78 47 79 / 0 0 0 0 Monticello AR 48 76 47 80 / 0 0 0 0 Mount Ida AR 43 79 44 79 / 0 0 0 0 Mountain Home AR 42 73 45 73 / 0 0 0 0 Newport AR 43 77 44 78 / 0 0 0 0 Pine Bluff AR 44 78 44 80 / 0 0 0 0 Russellville AR 45 77 47 78 / 0 0 0 0 Searcy AR 43 77 45 78 / 0 0 0 0 Stuttgart AR 46 78 45 81 / 0 0 0 0

LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.