FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Multiple rounds of showers and storms are expected over the next several days. Thursday, rain chances and coverage will be the highest through the A.M. hours near and north of the I-40 corridor. Sunshine will likely break through the clouds a little better for parts of the the River Valley and Ouachita's. Expect a range in high temperatures with most areas sitting in the 60s to lower-70s Thursday afternoon. Areas of Le Flore, Sebastian, and Scott counties will range from the 70s to lower-80s.
Isolated showers will be possible Thursday night ahead of our next storm system, which is expected to impact Friday mornings commute.
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If Friday mornings round of rain and thunder can move out quick enough, allowing the atmosphere time to recover, then we'll have to watch for the redevelopment of isolated thunderstorms heading into Friday evening. This active pattern continues into the weekend with another system moving in late Saturday into Sunday.
A unstable environment will be present Friday through Sunday, bringing back the chances of strong to severe thunderstorms. All threats look to be available right now, as we could see strong winds, large hail, and an isolated tornado.
We're trending towards a lull in the activity Saturday, with a hotter and muggier day setting up. That could lead to a more unstable atmosphere heading into Sunday. The 5NEWS Weather Team is still working on the timing for rain and storms Saturday night through Sunday. Continue to check back for updates as we get closer.
Thursday's rainfall through Sunday will likely lead to 5COUNTRY receiving 1 to 3 inches. Locally higher amounts of 3 to 5 inches are expected to mix in around the region. Low-lying and poor drainage areas will experience flooding at times.
TODAY
- Mostly to partly cloudy
- Scattered showers & thunderstorms | 60-90%
- Dropping into the 60/70S
- Southeast winds 10 to 20 MPH | Gusts: 25 MPH
TONIGHT
- Mostly cloudy
- Spotty showers | 20-30%
- Highs in the 50/60s
- Southeast winds 10 to 20 MPH | Gusts: 25 MPH
STORM CHANCES FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING
Friday's setup depends on how much rainfall we see Friday morning and how long it lingers. If we get morning showers out quickly with some breaks of sunshine Friday afternoon, then our severe potential will be on the increase. A few gusty winds and pockets of hail can't be ruled out with any Friday morning thunderstorms, though widespread severe weather is not anticipated.
The late afternoon and evening threat will be conditional on isolated storms developing, but if they can get going, a severe storm or two will be possible.
STORM CHANES SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY
Our weekend disturbance moves in sometime Saturday night into Sunday, which will bring another chance of some strong to severe thunderstorms. This system looks to be our strongest this week coupled with the highest amounts of instability and fuel for storms to tap into.
Right now, Saturday looks to be much warmer in the 80s with higher humidity. A stray shower can't be ruled out Saturday, but our coverage is expected to stay low. Rain and thunderstorm chances will start to increase Saturday night into Sunday morning, especially across eastern Oklahoma. The 5NEWS Weather Team will continue to work on the exact timing, but expect shower and thunderstorm coverage to increase Sunday.
If thunderstorm activity holds off Sunday morning, then our severe threat will increase heading into the back half of the day Sunday. Large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes will all be possible. Make sure you have multiple ways to get weather warnings. Again, this is still a few days away and the forecast will change. Check back for updates.
- Meteorologist Zac Scott
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