Tornado Watch

 UPDATE 11:30 PM:

Tornado Watch extended into Central Arkansas until 2 AM

 As of 11:30 PM, a line of storms continued to approach Central Arkansas. The storms will likely affect the metro Little Rock area between 1 AM and 3 AM with strong gusty winds. Below is the radar at 11:30PM

UPDATE 7:40 PM

Tornado Watch Issued for much of Western Arkansas until 2 AM.

A strong cold front pushing into Central Arkansas tonight will bring showers and some thunderstorms, followed by a quick shot of colder air. Showers and storms will begin to push into Western Arkansas mainly after 9PM.

Storms will quickly push into Central Arkansas later in the evening, with the highest risk of storms for Central Arkansas mainly between about 11 PM and 3 AM. Some of the storms may be strong to severe. Strong jet stream winds will create fairly strong wind shear, one of the ingredients for severe weather. The limiting factor in this case is the lack of warm enough air of the front, which is typically a problem for severe weather during the Winter season. The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of Arkansas in a SLIGHT risk for severe storms for tonight.

The main severe risk associated with the storms is strong wind gusts. Isolated hail is also possible. The tornado risk appears low at this point, mainly due the marginally warm air ahead of the cold front, but a tornado threat will exist along with any individual storms.

Much colder air will follow the front for Thursday morning. Strong wind gusts are also likely as the cold air rushes in Thursday morning, with gusts of up to 40 MPH likely.

Temperatures will fall into the low 40s by Mid-morning Thursday, but with the strong winds it will feel like upper 20s to lower 30s. Highs Thursday will stay in the 40s with diminishing winds by later in the day.