Here is what you can expect!
- First and foremost, it is going to warm and spring-like on Thursday with highs in the 70's, maybe nearing 80 in some areas. Don't get too comfortable however, reality will make an abrupt and quick return as temperatures will nose dive Friday and Saturday.
- Although models are having a hard time deciphering what exactly will occur Saturday morning, we are confident some areas will see a sleet and or snow mixture in the early AM. This should be confined to mostly northern Arkansas where the freezing line will be close.
- We have numerous rain chances throughout the next several days as the southwest flow aloft will drag moisture across the state with showers and storms possible. Models are suggesting we could see a dent in drought conditions due to heavy rainfall (model posted below)
- Early and mid-week next week needs to be monitored for severe weather. Temperatures will be warm, with some instability and lift present, severe chances could certainly exist. We are still a few days away, so data will need to be checked and presented accordingly.
Below are models showing the chances for rain, sleet, temperatures, and even severe weather for the upcoming several days:
Thursday is going to feel very spring like, we have posted a 7-day outlook above (valid for Little Rock - KLIT). Notice the 73-degree high on our Thursday, but a couple days later we are right back to mid-40's for day time highs. Temperatures will eventually warm again early next week returning to a more mild pattern.
Saturday morning will be much colder, especially across portions of northern Arkansas. Notice the abundant moisture across the state, especially in NWA. Although it is showing as a mixture of green and pink (rain and winter mix) there could be isolated areas of a snow/sleet mix. This all depends on how far south the cold air progresses south. It is certainly possible we could see just a VERY cold rain. Impacts should be very minimal if any at all, but a major change from the spring like air just a couple of days prior.
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| Accumulated Precipitation Amounts (next several days) |
Folks, it is going to get wet the next several days with numerous chances for rainfall. Although flooding is currently not a major concern, some isolated areas of flash flooding could possibly occur. If you do work outside, plan accordingly because rain will be common as we progress through the weekend and into next week.
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| GFS Cape (Convective Available Potential Energy) |
Lastly, we need to speak of the severe weather chances next week. We are still several days away so we will tread lightly on the subject. Temperatures will be mild early and mid-week, with moisture, instability, and some lift available; severe weather could certainly be a possibility. A cold front looks to approach from the northwest next week, with mild temperatures ahead of the front. This looks like a classic setup for some strong to severe storms. Mind you, we are still several days away. Some fine tuning will be needed and it would be foolish of us to try to state what will occur here or there etc.
We will have updates regarding rainfall, any winter weather, severe weather, and temperatures throughout the next few days - stay tuned!
-AW Team
All models are credited to: Weatherbell.com
