Severe weather threat lower, heavy rain likely Friday and Saturday

Severe Weather will be possible late Friday afternoon and evening first in West Arkansas and then perhaps into Central Arkansas late this evening.

The forecast from the Storm Prediction Center doesn't even give a 2% probability of tornadoes in Arkansas today. That being said, never say, "never."

What the Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a risk for is damaging wind and some hail from storms that are expected to come out of Oklahoma this evening.

Overall the highest threat will be the flooding threat. Much of Central Arkansas is now included in an expanded Flash Flood Watch until 7 AM, Saturday. The time period of the watch may need to be extended.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH is in effect through Saturday morning for western Arkansas where the heaviest rain has occurred over the past few days. A dry weather pattern is expected Sunday and Monday before the next round of showers and thunderstorms, some with heavy rain, begins moving in by late Tuesday. Rainfall total through next Thursday is likely to be in the 5-6" range along the I30 corridor from Texarkana to Little Rock with 2-4" expected over much of the rest of the state.