Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Little Rock, AR

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564 FXUS64 KLZK 212330 AFDLZK Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Little Rock AR 630 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024 ...New AVIATION... .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Thursday) Issued at 312 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024 An upper ridge is over the southeast part of the U.S. with an upper low over the northern Plains. The upper low will move east as the ridge in the south remains stationary. Several low pressure systems will move across the northern U.S. through Thursday. The upper ridge will be pushed south late Thursday. Strong south winds continue across the area this afternoon ahead of a cold front in Oklahoma. Showers and thunderstorms have developed in eastern Oklahoma and will move into western Arkansas this afternoon and evening. Some of the storms could be severe tonight with large hail and damaging winds the main threats. The northwest half of the state is under a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms. Several short waves will move through the state through Thursday bringing multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms. Several inches of rain are expected through this week and a Flood Watch may be needed with the next forecast package depending on how the storms act tonight. Lows tonight will be in the lower 60s to the mid 70s and in the 60s Wednesday night. Highs Wednesday will be in the mid 70s to upper 80s and in the upper 70s to upper 80s Thursday. && .LONG TERM... (Thursday Night through next Tuesday) Issued at 312 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024 Unsettled weather is likely to continue through the long term portion of the forecast. Persistent H500 SW flow will remain in place through the end of the period as ridging extends from northern Mexico into the Gulf of Mexico while a series of cyclones rotate east generally along the US/CA border. Helping to focus the activity will be a nearly stationary front oriented generally from SW to NE across Arkansas and surrounding areas. A parade of mid-level disturbances will traverse the flow aloft and aid in the development of rain and thunderstorms locally, practically on a daily basis. Depending on available instability, shear and timing of the H500 wave passage, a few rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms are possible. A more robust H500 wave is expected to move across the area from Thu PM to Fri AM which could provide an opportunity for more organized TS development. With several rounds of rain and thunderstorms expected across at least the northern half of the state there is increased concern for heavy rainfall potential. There is some indication that by the end of the period the stalled front will finally sink south of the area and the flow aloft will become more progressive. This could bring at least somewhat of a break in persistent rain chances as well as slightly cooler temperatures. Until that happens, above normal temperatures remain likely through much of the period. && .AVIATION...
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(00Z TAFS) Issued at 630 PM CDT Tue May 21 2024 Showers and thunderstorms will begin the forecast period and on Tuesday evening impacting the northern, western, and central terminals. Surface winds within the storms on Tuesday evening into Tuesday night will be in excess of 30 knots. A lull will take place across all terminals later during the early morning hours on Wednesday before the next round of shower and thunderstorm activity associated with a stalled frontal boundary across Arkansas will bring opportunity for showers and thunderstorms through Wednesday across all terminals. Flight category in terms of CIGS and VSBY will drop as low as LIFR across the northern terminals for fog during the early morning hours on Wednesday. CIGS will lower to MVFR with intermittent IFR associated with stronger cells of storms.
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&& .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Batesville AR 69 82 65 82 / 60 80 80 60 Camden AR 73 87 67 87 / 40 60 50 30 Harrison AR 63 74 62 79 / 60 80 70 50 Hot Springs AR 70 84 66 84 / 50 70 80 50 Little Rock AR 73 87 69 85 / 50 80 80 50 Monticello AR 73 88 69 87 / 40 50 50 30 Mount Ida AR 69 84 65 83 / 50 80 80 60 Mountain Home AR 65 77 63 79 / 60 80 70 50 Newport AR 70 84 67 82 / 60 80 80 60 Pine Bluff AR 73 87 68 86 / 40 60 70 40 Russellville AR 69 84 65 82 / 60 80 80 60 Searcy AR 70 84 65 82 / 50 80 80 60 Stuttgart AR 73 85 69 84 / 40 70 70 50 && .LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ SHORT TERM...51 LONG TERM....67 AVIATION...74