textproduct: Little Rock

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 1245 AM CDT Wed Apr 22 2026

- Some showery activity possible through the morning hours across mainly western Arkansas

- Seasonably warm temperatures continuing through the early next week

- Severe weather potential beginning as early as Thursday, with more favorable severe weather conditions Friday and continuing daily through the weekend

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1245 AM CDT Wed Apr 22 2026

An embedded weak shortwave downstream of an amplified ridging feature aloft is currently resulting in some showery activity along the periphery of southern Arkansas, with the more favorable dynamics allowing for some larger coverage later this morning across western Arkansas, with hints of some thunder also possible. Any of these showers may result in some localized amounts up to one quarter inch amounts, but not much widespread accumulations are anticipated even in these favorable areas. Temperatures will continue to run 5-10 degrees above normal today as highs in the 70s and 80s are anticipated across the state.

A significant synoptic pattern change is in store over the next couple of days, as a Pacific trough shifts eastward and then amplifies going into the latter portions of the week. This will result in this quieter period of weather to become more active east of the Rockies as the severe weather threat ramps up tomorrow, mainly to the west of the state. A prolonged period of enhanced southerly flow through the lower levels will bring increasing moisture levels, which will improve the thermodynamic profiles late this week and continue through the weekend.

Multiple waves will rotate around this upper low circulation that'll be centered along the US/Canadian border, anywhere from Thursday into early next week. Thus, there will be multiple days with some level of severe weather potential across the region and vicinity during this period depending on the pattern evolution. The first round looks to be in the late Thursday night into Friday timeframe as a cold front sweeps across the state. Limited severe threat would be anticipated during the overnight period, with increasing threat throughout the day Friday.

Post-front, the pattern evolution becomes less certain as to how favorable the environment may continue to be across the region going into and through the early portions of the weekend as weaker zonal flow seems to be favored. A more robust jet pushing east of the Rockies seems to be the consensus by Sunday, which would present another round of severe weather potential Sunday into Monday.

After the activity on Monday, a period of quieter weather seems to be favored amongst ensemble guidance, as temperatures continue to remain above normal levels going into the middle of next week.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1159 AM CDT Wed Apr 22 2026

Widespread VFR conditions are expected for the majority of the period. The exception will be at KADF and KHOT as some MVFR conditions are expected around sunrise. A brief passing shower can not be ruled out at KPBF and KLLQ this afternoon. Cloud cover will thin out with time. Overall winds will be light and from the south to southeast, generally averaging under 10 knots.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

Batesville AR 82 58 82 66 / 0 0 20 30 Camden AR 81 58 82 64 / 20 10 20 20 Harrison AR 79 57 78 64 / 0 0 20 60 Hot Springs AR 79 58 80 65 / 10 10 20 30 Little Rock AR 82 59 82 66 / 10 10 20 30 Monticello AR 82 60 83 65 / 10 10 20 10 Mount Ida AR 78 57 79 65 / 20 10 20 40 Mountain Home AR 81 56 80 63 / 0 0 20 50 Newport AR 80 58 83 67 / 0 0 20 20 Pine Bluff AR 81 59 84 65 / 10 10 20 20 Russellville AR 81 58 80 65 / 10 0 20 40 Searcy AR 82 56 83 64 / 10 0 20 20 Stuttgart AR 81 60 83 67 / 10 10 20 20

LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

None.