Alert archive / Arkansas / Tornado Warnings in 2025

Tornado Warning 97, NWS Little Rock, AR

April 20, 2025Lawrence County, Randolph County, Arkansas

NWS Little Rock, AR issued this tornado warning at Apr 20, 2025, 8:29 PM CDT for Lawrence County, Randolph County, Arkansas. It was in force for 16 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: Apr 20, 2025, 8:29 PM CDT (01:29 UTC)
Expired: Apr 20, 2025, 8:45 PM CDT
In force: 16 min
Issued by: NWS Little Rock, AR
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Radar indicated
Hail: 1.0 in

Counties Lawrence County, AR, Randolph County, AR

The radar

The Memphis radar (KNQA), 143 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:29 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.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
Apr 20, 5:39 PM CDT	Tornado Watch	SPC	6 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Little Rock, AR (KLZK), launched 00:00Z, 1.5 hours before the alert went out and 182 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 610 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -13 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1183 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 51 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 301 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 505 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 1.1
Supercell composite: 17.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this tornado 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 tornado warning went out at Apr 20, 6:56 PM CDT, 1 hour 33 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 20, 6:56 PM CDT, 1 hour 33 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 20, 2:12 AM CDT, 18 hours 17 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
212 AM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025

ARZ004>008-014>017-024-025-031>034-039-042>047-052>057-062>069-
103-112-113-121>123-130-137-138-140-141-203-212-213-221>223-230-
237-238-240-241-313-340-341-211000-
Marion-Baxter-Fulton-Sharp-Randolph-Stone-Izard-Independence-
Lawrence-Cleburne-Jackson-Conway-Faulkner-White-Woodruff-Perry-
Garland-Saline-Pulaski-Lonoke-Prairie-Monroe-Pike-Clark-
Hot Spring-Grant-Jefferson-Arkansas-Dallas-Cleveland-Lincoln-
Desha-Ouachita-Calhoun-Bradley-Drew-Boone County Except Southwest-
Newton County Higher Elevations-Searcy County Lower Elevations-
Southern Johnson County-Southern Pope County-
Southeast Van Buren County-Western and Northern Logan County-
Northern Scott County-Northwest Yell County-
Polk County Lower Elevations-
Central and Eastern Montgomery County-
Boone County Higher Elevations-Newton County Lower Elevations-
Northwest Searcy County Higher Elevations-
Johnson County Higher Elevations-Pope County Higher Elevations-
Van Buren County Higher Elevations-
Southern and Eastern Logan County-
Central and Southern Scott County-Yell Excluding Northwest-
Northern Polk County Higher Elevations-
Northern Montgomery County Higher Elevations-
Eastern, Central, and Southern Searcy County Higher Elevations-
Southeast Polk County Higher Elevations-
Southwest Montgomery County Higher Elevations-
212 AM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025

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

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible this morning over
far northwestern portions of the area as a warm front lifts north
over the area. Damaging winds and a brief tornado are the primary
threats this morning...with maybe some marginally severe hail.
Some areas of heavy rainfall could also be seen this
morning...which may result in an increased threat for flash and
river flooding.

A break will be seen later this morning into the early afternoon
hours. However...more thunderstorms are expected this afternoon
into tonight as a cold front moves east across the state. There
will be an increased threat for severe thunderstorms...with
damaging and a few tornadoes the primary threats. A few
thunderstorms could also produce large hail as well. The best
chances for seeing severe weather will be across the northwestern
half of the area this afternoon and evening. Locally heavy
rainfall could also result in an isolated flash flood threat.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

The threat for severe weather will become low by Monday morning as
the storm system exits the state. However...more thunderstorms
will be possible for the middle to latter half of next week...but
the threat for organized severe weather looks uncertain at this
time.

.Spotter Information Statement...

Spotter activation may be needed through tonight.

&&

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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 20, 2:52 PM CDT, 5 hours 37 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
252 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025

ARZ052-137-138-140-141-230-237-238-240-241-340-341-202030-
Pike AR-Northwest Yell County AR-Northern Scott County AR-
Southwest Montgomery County Higher Elevations AR-
Yell Excluding Northwest AR-Polk County Lower Elevations AR-
Central and Southern Scott County AR-
Southeast Polk County Higher Elevations AR-
Northern Montgomery County Higher Elevations AR-
Southern and Eastern Logan County AR-
Northern Polk County Higher Elevations AR-
Central and Eastern Montgomery County AR-
252 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southern Logan,
western Pike, southeastern Scott, eastern Polk, southwestern Yell and
western Montgomery Counties through 330 PM CDT
...

At 252 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 6 miles southeast of Waldron to Caney Creek
Wilderness to near Dierks. Movement was northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Big Fork...                       Cardiff...
Little Missouri Falls Recreatio...Pine Ridge...
Shady Lake Recreation Area...     Daisy State Park...
Blue Ball...                      Union Hill...
Narrows Dam...                    Cedar Creek...
Pencil Bluff...                   Acorn...
Y City...                         Bard Springs Recreation Area...
Nola...                           Roaring Branch Natural Area...
Daisy...                          Sims...
Parks...                          Albert Pike Recreation Area...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for western,
central and southwestern Arkansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3476 9428 3512 9362 3487 9366 3400 9371
      3400 9372 3401 9382 3418 9382 3419 9393
      3435 9394 3435 9423 3419 9425 3420 9425
      3436 9423
TIME...MOT...LOC 1952Z 213DEG 50KT 3482 9405 3442 9408 3409 9412

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

73

Special weather statement, Apr 20, 3:22 PM CDT, 5 hours 7 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
322 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025

ARZ042-052-053-140-141-237-238-240-241-340-341-202100-
Pike AR-Southwest Montgomery County Higher Elevations AR-
Yell Excluding Northwest AR-Clark AR-Polk County Lower Elevations AR-
Central and Southern Scott County AR-
Southeast Polk County Higher Elevations AR-
Northern Montgomery County Higher Elevations AR-Garland AR-
Northern Polk County Higher Elevations AR-
Central and Eastern Montgomery County AR-
322 PM CDT Sun Apr 20 2025

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northwestern Clark,
Pike, northwestern Garland, southeastern Scott, east central Polk,
southwestern Yell and Montgomery Counties through 400 PM CDT
...

At 322 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Muddy Creek WMA to near Norman to near
Murfreesboro. Movement was northeast at 60 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Big Fork...                       Murfreesboro...
Little Missouri Falls Recreatio...Pine Ridge...
Pisgah...                         Daisy State Park...
Crater Of Diamonds State Park...  Story...
Bear Creek Public Use Area...     Narrows Dam...
Amity...                          Cedar Creek...
Pencil Bluff...                   Glenwood...
Shawmut...                        Rosboro...
Silver...                         Delight...
Mauldin...                        Roaring Branch Natural Area...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM CDT for central,
western and southwestern Arkansas.

&&

LAT...LON 3481 9397 3485 9344 3482 9333 3440 9339
      3439 9341 3434 9341 3434 9340 3426 9341
      3396 9348 3394 9353 3396 9353 3396 9362
      3398 9365 3401 9375 3401 9382 3418 9382
      3419 9393 3435 9394 3435 9401
TIME...MOT...LOC 2022Z 223DEG 52KT 3483 9364 3450 9367 3404 9375

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

73

Special weather statement, Apr 20, 5:50 PM CDT, 2 hours 39 minutes before

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Local storm report, Apr 20, 6:31 PM CDT, 1 hour 58 minutes before

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The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Apr 20, 7:06 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LZK	Independence, Izard, Lawrence, Sharp, Stone	54 min
Apr 20, 7:09 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LZK	Fulton, Izard, Randolph, Sharp	51 min
Apr 20, 7:18 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LZK	Independence, Jackson, White	42 min
Apr 20, 7:25 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LZK	White	50 min
Apr 20, 7:31 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LZK	Lonoke, Prairie, White	44 min
Apr 20, 7:33 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LZK	Ouachita	27 min
Apr 20, 7:40 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LZK	Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp	50 min
Apr 20, 7:41 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LZK	Independence	34 min
Apr 20, 7:44 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LZK	Grant	31 min
Apr 20, 7:52 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LZK	Independence, Jackson, White, Woodruff	38 min
Apr 20, 7:59 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LZK	Cleveland, Dallas, Grant, Jefferson	46 min
Apr 20, 7:59 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LZK	Independence, Jackson, Lawrence	46 min
Apr 20, 8:03 PM CDT	Tornado Warning	LZK	Lawrence, Randolph	32 min
Apr 20, 8:05 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LZK	Calhoun, Dallas, Ouachita	40 min
Apr 20, 8:09 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LZK	Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, White, Woodruff	51 min
Apr 20, 8:13 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LZK	Lonoke, Monroe, Prairie, White, Woodruff	77 min
Apr 20, 8:42 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	LZK	Bradley, Calhoun, Cleveland, Dallas, Ouachita	48 min
Apr 20, 8:45 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LZK	Jefferson	30 min
Apr 20, 8:50 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LZK	Jefferson	40 min
Apr 20, 9:20 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LZK	Monroe	40 min
Apr 20, 9:38 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LZK	Bradley	37 min
Apr 20, 10:02 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LZK	Monroe	28 min
Apr 20, 10:21 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LZK	Lincoln	39 min
Apr 20, 10:41 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	LZK	Monroe	34 min
Apr 21, 9:36 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	LZK	Randolph	5 days
Apr 21, 2:04 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	LZK	Perry	17 hr

Nearby

Tornado Warnings in Arkansas, 2025 Every tornado warning in 2025 Tornadoes in 2025

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.