Little Rock, AR – The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for much of Arkansas until 7 p.m. CDT Saturday, warning of conditions conducive to severe thunderstorms and tornado formation.
Tornado Watch 122, issued at 9:55 a.m. CDT by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, covers 37 counties in eastern, central, and southern Arkansas.
Residents in Pulaski, Jefferson, Mississippi, and Craighead counties are encouraged to stay weather-aware throughout the afternoon and evening.
Little Rock, Jonesboro, Pine Bluff, and El Dorado are among the counties under watch. The alert extends from Arkansas County in the southeast to White County in the north-central area.
Authorities advise residents to review tornado safety plans, stay on top of local alerts, and be ready to seek shelter as soon as possible.
Outdoor activities should be postponed, and travelers should have multiple options for receiving emergency warnings.
Historically, early April brings increased tornado risk to the state as warm, moist air from the Gulf mixes with upper-level disturbances.
The most intense conditions are expected between 3 and 7 p.m., which coincides with peak daytime heating.
Updates will be issued as conditions change.
