Severe weather expected in state through Saturday

Parts of the state could experience severe weather this week through Saturday, National Weather Service Meteorologist John Robinson reports.

Damaging wind will be the most probable threat with the isolated storms — especially for north and central Arkansas — from Wednesday through Friday as a cold front gradually approaches the state, Robinson said, but large hail and "an isolated tornado or two cannot be ruled out each day." If storms occur, they will likely be in the evening and overnight hours, according to Robinson.

The front is expected to move into Arkansas on Saturday, bringing with it higher chances of rain and storms.

"It does not look like [the state is] going to have a big outbreak of severe weather," Robinson wrote in an e-mailed statement. "At this point, it looks as though the greatest coverage of storms will occur on Saturday."

Robinson said the front is positioned to deliver the heaviest rainfall to northern parts of the state, with more than 4 inches possible in Northwest Arkansas by Saturday. The rest of the state's rainfall amounts are not expected to exceed 2/3 inch, with the south receiving 1/3 inch or less, according to Robinson.

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