Tornado watch issued for northwest, central Arkansas

This map provided by the National Weather Service shows a large swath of Arkansas, as well as parts of Oklahoma and Missouri, under a tornado watch through 9 p.m.
This map provided by the National Weather Service shows a large swath of Arkansas, as well as parts of Oklahoma and Missouri, under a tornado watch through 9 p.m.

A tornado watch has been issued for a large swath of northwest and central Arkansas, including the Little Rock metropolitan area.

The National Weather Service issued the watch shortly before 1:30 p.m. for 36 counties. It runs through 9 p.m.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms were expected for a large part of the state throughout Thursday, but forecasters said earlier in the day severe weather would be more likely in Northwest Arkansas overnight.

On Friday, severe storms in the forecast again, the weather service said. Damaging winds are possible in the afternoon and evening, with the northwest corner of the state most vulnerable, Robinson said.

North of a line from De Queen to Pine Bluff to Wynne could see damaging winds and some large hail in the evening and overnight hours, Robinson said. "An isolated tornado or two could occur," he added.

Severe storms are possible Saturday, too, with chances of damage increasing as the day goes on.

Rain totals from Thursday through Saturday evening should average between 1 inch and 3 inches in north and central Arkansas, with the north getting the most precipitation, Robinson said. Some places in the state's northwest can expect about 5 inches, while the southern third of the state should expect totals of 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inches, he said.

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