Alert archive / Arkansas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 52, NWS Little Rock, AR

March 12, 2020Independence County, Jackson County, Arkansas

NWS Little Rock, AR issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Mar 12, 2020, 6:14 PM CDT for Independence County, Jackson County, Arkansas. It was in force for 12 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 12, 2020, 6:14 PM CDT (23:14 UTC)
Expired
Mar 12, 2020, 6:26 PM CDT
In force
12 min
Issued by
NWS Little Rock, AR
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Independence County, AR, Jackson County, AR

The radar

The Little Rock radar (KLZK), 122 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:15 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Mar 12, 3:44 PM CDTTornado WatchSPC7 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 12:00Z, 11.2 hours before the alert went out and 161 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Little Rock, AR at 12:00Z on 2020-03-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 210 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Little Rock, AR at 12:00Z on 2020-03-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 248 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
210 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-230 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
821 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
50 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
248 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
266 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Little Rock, AR wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Mar 12, 2:48 PM CDT, 3 hours 26 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 12, 2:48 PM CDT, 3 hours 26 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
248 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2020

.Short Term...Tonight thru Saturday...
We are setting up for another possible severe weather event tonight
across the area. Last night I had expected the warm front to push
all the way northward to the AR/MO border, but that did not
happen...the front stalled out over central AR. Thru the day the
front has moved more to the north, but quite frankly it is a bit
diffuse and hard to pinpoint exactly. Regardless, a cold front will
be sweeping down into the state tonight, and convection is expected
to fire up along and ahead of the front.

Models are a mixed bag, with some showing more of a QLCS situation,
with some favoring supercells ahead of a line. There is a fair
amount of directional and speed shear present, albeit less than I
anticipated yesterday. Even so, I anticipate that any larger storms
should be capble of forming mesocyclones and rotating.

Skies cleared quite a bit today across northern AR and the river
valley, with partial clearing across much of the rest of the state.
This has allowed temperatures to rise above forecat values, and
presumably CAPE values will be higher for convection this afternoon
and evening. I am thinking that many areas across the northern half
of the state have mixed layer 1000-1500j/kg CAPE values, with some
higher pockets likely. Forecast BRN values are in the teens to the
30's, and this strongly favors the development of supercells.

One caveat is that forecast soundings show a fair amount of capping,
but this could be beneficial to any stronger storms that break thru
the cap. We have a 21Z sounding going up today, and hopefully this
will give us a better picture of how the atmosphere has evolved
during the day.

Putting it all together, I think we could see some cells develop out
ahead of the front, with some possibly becoming supercells, followed
by a broken squall line behind it. SPC may be issuing a tornado
watch for part of the area soon, and this certainly seems
justified.

After tonight, I haven't made any large scale changes to the
existing forecast. The upper low across the southwest will move
quickly toward the area and will exhibit considerable
deamplification. There should be enough energy with this shortwaveto
keep chances for showers and isolated thunderstorms in the forecast
thru Saturday.

&&

.Extended Term...Saturday Night Through Wednesday...
Not many changes to the long term portion of the forecast this
afternoon, with most eyes still focused on short term severe
weather impacts.

Cooler temperatures than what have been observed recently will be in
place across the area this weekend into early next week. Throughout
the week, temperatures will begin to moderate. A surface boundary
will remain in the vicinity of the state through the long term
portion of the forecast, acting as a focusing mechanism for precip.

A few H500 lows will meander their way eastward from the western US,
while encountering ridging across the Gulf of Mexico into the
southern US. Across the state, persistent energy will overspread the
area in the SW flow aloft. With abundant moisture in place near the
surface, persistent and widespread rainfall is expected across the
forecast area.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Batesville AR     49  55  42  48 /  60  30  80  80
Camden AR         58  58  51  70 / 100 100  60  50
Harrison AR       44  53  39  48 /  10  30  90  90
Hot Springs AR    54  56  47  61 / 100  80  70  80
Little Rock   AR  53  56  46  58 / 100  70  70  70
Monticello AR     57  59  52  70 / 100  90  50  50
Mount Ida AR      52  55  46  61 /  90  90  80  80
Mountain Home AR  45  55  39  46 /  10  20  80  90
Newport AR        50  55  44  49 /  80  20  80  80
Pine Bluff AR     54  55  49  65 / 100  80  60  60
Russellville AR   52  56  45  55 /  40  60  80  80
Searcy AR         52  54  44  54 /  90  50  80  80
Stuttgart AR      54  55  47  60 / 100  70  70  70
&&

.LZK Watches/Warnings/Advisories...NONE.
&&

Short Term...53 / Extended Term...67
Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 12, 4:53 PM CDT, 1 hour 21 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
453 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2020

ARZ003>008-012>017-021>025-030>034-037>047-052>057-062>069-131000-
Boone-Marion-Baxter-Fulton-Sharp-Randolph-Newton-Searcy-Stone-
Izard-Independence-Lawrence-Johnson-Pope-Van Buren-Cleburne-
Jackson-Logan-Conway-Faulkner-White-Woodruff-Scott-Yell-Perry-
Polk-Montgomery-Garland-Saline-Pulaski-Lonoke-Prairie-Monroe-Pike-
Clark-Hot Spring-Grant-Jefferson-Arkansas-Dallas-Cleveland-
Lincoln-Desha-Ouachita-Calhoun-Bradley-Drew-
453 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2020

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for a Large Part of Arkansas.

.DAY ONE...This evening and Tonight

Thunderstorms will continue to develop this afternoon and
evening. A few strong to severe storms are expected. Large hail
and damaging winds will be possible with the strongest storms.
Isolated tornadoes will be possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday Through Wednesday

Rain and a few thunderstorms are expected through most of the long
term period. Locally heavy rainfall may be a concern toward the end
of the week and into the weekend. Currently...flash flooding
potential remains low...but some localized high water issues may
occur.

.Spotter Information Statement...

Spotter activation may be needed this evening.

&&

Visit NWS Little Rock on the web. Go to http://weather.gov/lzk.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 12, 5:23 PM CDT, 51 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
523 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2020

ARZ022-030-038-122315-
Pope AR-Logan AR-Yell AR-
523 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL LOGAN...NORTHERN
YELL AND SOUTH CENTRAL POPE COUNTIES UNTIL 615 PM CDT...

At 523 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Mount Magazine, or 11 miles northwest of Danville, moving east at 35
mph.

Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Russellville...                   Danville...
Dardanelle...                     Pottsville...
Ola...                            Petit Jean River WMA...
Mt Nebo State Park...             Mosley...
Mount Magazine...                 Belleville...
Havana...                         Corinth...
Ranger...                         Holla Bend...
Mt George...                      Chickalah...
Centerville...                    Spring Lake Campground...
Waveland...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for western and
central Arkansas.

LAT...LON 3510 9363 3527 9359 3523 9301 3502 9314
TIME...MOT...LOC 2223Z 275DEG 31KT 3518 9351

46
Local storm report, Mar 12, 5:37 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Mar 12, 5:37 PM CDT, 37 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Mar 12, 5:57 PM CDT, 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
557 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2020

ARZ017-122345-
Lawrence AR-
557 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR CENTRAL LAWRENCE COUNTY UNTIL 645
PM CDT...

At 556 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Lake Charles State Park, moving east at 45 mph.

Pea size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Walnut Ridge...                   Hoxie...
Black Rock...                     Lake Charles State Park...
College City...                   Portia...
Minturn...                        Sedgwick...
Powhatan...                       Whiskerville...
Giles Spur...                     Lauratown...
Clover Bend...                    Calvin...
Dicus...                          Coffman...
Arbor Grove...                    Powhatan Historic State Park...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for eastern
Arkansas.

LAT...LON 3608 9082 3604 9084 3602 9084 3599 9086
      3598 9084 3595 9087 3593 9086 3592 9087
      3588 9088 3588 9095 3597 9123 3615 9119
      3614 9108 3612 9108 3612 9106 3614 9106
      3613 9077 3611 9077
TIME...MOT...LOC 2256Z 278DEG 41KT 3606 9112

Cross
Local storm report, Mar 12, 6:11 PM CDT, 3 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
611 PM CDT THU MAR 12 2020

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0503 PM     HAIL             HORSESHOE BEND          36.22N  91.74W
03/12/2020  E1.25 INCH       IZARD              AR   SOCIAL MEDIA

&&

EVENT NUMBER LZK2000157

GOUDSWARD
Special weather statement, Mar 12, 6:12 PM CDT, 2 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
612 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2020

ARZ056-063-064-122345-
Cleveland AR-Lincoln AR-Jefferson AR-
612 PM CDT Thu Mar 12 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN CLEVELAND...SOUTH
CENTRAL JEFFERSON AND LINCOLN COUNTIES UNTIL 645 PM CDT...

At 612 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Toledo, or near Rison, moving east at 50 mph.

Half inch hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible with this
storm.

Locations impacted include...
Star City...                      Rison...
Gould...                          Grady...
Nebo...                           Feenyville...
Whitefield...                     Cane Creek State Park...
Mills...                          Kedron...
Toledo...                         Garrett Bridge...
Tarry...                          Palmyra...
Rose Hill...                      Crigler...
Glendale in Lincoln County...     Calhoun...
Rowell...                         Fresno...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3384 9156 3389 9222 3407 9220 3411 9156
      3396 9155
TIME...MOT...LOC 2312Z 266DEG 44KT 3396 9211

62

The office that day

Everything else NWS Little Rock, AR issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 12, 3:09 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKBoone36 min
Mar 12, 3:46 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKBaxter29 min
Mar 12, 3:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLZKBaxter, Fulton, Marion27 min
Mar 12, 3:58 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKMarion47 min
Mar 12, 4:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLZKBaxter, Fulton, Izard38 min
Mar 12, 4:46 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLZKBaxter, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Sharp44 min
Mar 12, 4:48 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKStone42 min
Mar 12, 4:51 PM CDTTornado WarningLZKFulton, Independence, Izard, Sharp39 min
Mar 12, 4:52 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKLogan38 min
Mar 12, 4:55 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKScott35 min
Mar 12, 5:07 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLZKBaxter, Cleburne, Independence, Izard, Marion, Searcy and 1 more38 min
Mar 12, 5:11 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKPope49 min
Mar 12, 5:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKRandolph30 min
Mar 12, 5:23 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKYell52 min
Mar 12, 5:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLZKFulton, Independence, Izard, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp34 min
Mar 12, 5:27 PM CDTTornado WarningLZKJackson, Lawrence, Sharp29 min
Mar 12, 5:37 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKScott53 min
Mar 12, 5:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLZKCleburne, Independence, Izard, Stone33 min
Mar 12, 5:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLZKPolk46 min
Mar 12, 5:57 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKLawrence48 min
Mar 12, 6:12 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKCleveland, Lincoln33 min
Mar 12, 6:15 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKScott45 min
Mar 12, 6:25 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKVan Buren35 min
Mar 12, 6:26 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLZKMontgomery, Polk, Scott, Yell49 min
Mar 12, 6:31 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementLZKVan Buren44 min
Mar 12, 6:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLZKPope, Van Buren45 min
Mar 12, 6:56 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningLZKMontgomery, Polk, Scott3 hr

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Arkansas, 2020Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2020

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.