2:55 P.M. UPDATE:
A larger swath of north Arkansas now faces an enhanced risk for severe weather Thursday night and into early Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
The latest advisory from the agency's North Little Rock office includes cities in the state's northeast such as Jonesboro and Batesville in that risk area.
The northern half of Arkansas could see large hail and damaging winds associated with a system set to push through the state overnight.
Other parts north of Interstate 40 face a slight risk for severe storms.
EARLIER:
For the second time this week, north Arkansas is at risk for severe weather, with hail and damaging winds being the primary concern Thursday night.
The National Weather Service in North Little Rock said in a statement that the northern half of the state faces at least a slight risk for storms to turn severe.
Along Arkansas’ northern border, including cities such as Harrison and Mountain Home, residents face an enhanced risk, forecasters said.
The threat comes as a cold front is expected to move through the state Thursday and during the overnight hours into Friday morning.
Tornadoes are not as much of a concern with this round of storms but “cannot be ruled out,” according to the latest advisory.
Remaining portions of the state south of Interstate 40 will likely see only showers and thunderstorms.
Once that system moves through Friday morning, another round of precipitation is expected to move in Saturday, giving some Arkansans the chance of seeing a wintry mix.
Rain and sleet is expected to transition into snow by Saturday afternoon once colder air filters in, particularly in the state’s northeast, the weather service said.
Forecasters say that area of Arkansas could see up to an inch of snow.
“Some light snow cannot be ruled out as far south as Little Rock and slightly south,” according to the latest outlook.
Another round of wintry weather is forecast Sunday night into Monday in northeast Arkansas, bringing the possibility of more light snow.
Precipitation totals will depend on ground temperatures and the timing of colder air pushing through the state, officials said.