Alert archive / Arkansas / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2025

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 470, NWS Tulsa, OK

September 22, 2025Franklin County, Sebastian County, Arkansas

NWS Tulsa, OK issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Sep 22, 2025, 12:25 AM CDT for Franklin County, Sebastian County, Arkansas. It was in force for 32 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: Sep 22, 2025, 12:25 AM CDT (05:25 UTC)
Expired: Sep 22, 2025, 12:57 AM CDT
In force: 32 min
Issued by: NWS Tulsa, OK
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 0.75 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Franklin County, AR, Sebastian County, AR

The radar

The Western Arkansas radar (KSRX), 26 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 05:27 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 nearest sounding before it

Springfield, MO (KSGF), launched 00:00Z, 5.4 hours before the alert went out and 174 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: 1173 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -8 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 976 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 14 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 11 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 3 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

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 Tulsa, OK wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Sep 21, 8:31 PM CDT, 3 hours 54 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Issued at 1238 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025
Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms will spread across eastern Oklahoma this afternoon. Thunderstorms will increase during the afternoon and into the evening as the precipitation moves into western Arkansas. The stronger storms will pose a local flash flood concern in some areas, along with strong gusty winds.
Daily shower and thunderstorm chances continue into Wednesday or Thursday. There is a moderate chance of a more robust storm complex crossing the area from Monday night into Tuesday. A wider swath heavy rainfall could occur in the region on Tuesday.
Warm conditions continue through Monday, with temperatures then moderating into late week, falling slightly below normal.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 21, 8:31 PM CDT, 3 hours 54 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
831 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025

...New UPDATE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Issued at 1238 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025

 - Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms will spread across
eastern Oklahoma this afternoon.  Thunderstorms will increase during
the afternoon and into the evening as the precipitation moves into
western Arkansas. The stronger storms will pose a local flash flood
concern in some areas, along with strong gusty winds.

 - Daily shower and thunderstorm chances continue into Wednesday or
Thursday. There is a moderate chance of a more robust storm complex
crossing the area from Monday night into Tuesday. A wider swath
heavy rainfall could occur in the region on Tuesday.

 - Warm conditions continue through Monday, with temperatures then
moderating into late week, falling slightly below normal.

&&

.UPDATE...
Issued at 830 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025

Strong to severe thunderstorms that developed across much of the area
this afternoon continue to spread eastward into northwestern
Arkansas this evening, with a general weakening trend. Localized
strong outflow wind gusts are possible for another couple hours with
the strongest activity. New development has already started across
central and southeastern Oklahoma. Short-term models have suggested
development in this area for several hours, and it appears the
beginning of this next round is underway. This activity should become
more widespread across east central and southeastern Oklahoma, and
northwest Arkansas by late evening and overnight. Severe weather
potential will be low with this activity, and the threat of locally
heavy rainfall/associated localized flooding is there.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(Through tonight )
Issued at 1238 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025

Diffluent flow aloft at the base of an upper level trough, and to
the north of an anticyclonically curving jet segment, will continue
to support upward motion over the area into tonight. Additionally, a
small-scale vort max is tracking across northeast Oklahoma with a
lobe of vorticity extending south into the Red River Valley. Patches
of rain area occurring with the system in our area now, with
scattered thunderstorms likely to develop ahead of it later today
and tonight as the system tracks into Arkansas. Locally heavy rain
and gusty winds will occur with stronger storms, with local flash
flood potential in the track of the stronger cells.

There is some concern that a storm induced boundary will be in place
this evening in southeast Oklahoma or northeast Texas that could be
a potential focus for a small zone of very heavy rain tonight as a
30 knot low-level jet from the southwest develops. This potential
would be disrupted if too many new storms develop and track further
south in Texas. The ceiling for rainfall is rather high in this
scenario. So while the current probability is low for this to unfold
as worst-case situation, the potential will need to be monitored
into tonight.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Tomorrow through Sunday)
Issued at 1238 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025

Rising heights aloft and the associated shift of the upper-level jet
segment to the north will tend to reduce precipitation coverage with
time on Monday, a fairly strong upper-level system will approach the
area from the northwest on Monday night and Tuesday.  With that will
come the possibility for one or two storm complexes that should be a
more robust than the recent systems. If this setup evolves as
current data suggests, a more widespread swath of 3 to 5 inches of
rain could occur from Monday night into Tuesday night, with local
multi-day totals approaching 7 inches. These amounts would drive a
threat for more than local flash flooding and some river flooding.
Current data favor northwest Arkansas and adjacent portions of far
eastern Oklahoma for the heaviest rain potential.  But this could
easily shift a number of counties in any direction at this point.

&&

.AVIATION...
(00Z TAFS)
Issued at 632 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025

Convection will impact nwrn AR sites early in the forecast period,
with MVFR CIGS and IFR VSBYS. A strong to severe thunderstorm looks
to impact FSM in the short-term. Additional convective development
expected later tonight, with best chance to affect sern OK and nwrn
AR sites. There continues to be a signal for low clouds and fog
across nern OK sites late tonight, with some guidance continuing that
well into Monday. For now, introduced some fog/low clouds, but showed
an improving trend mid morning. Probably some lingering convection
sern OK and nwrn AR through the morning hours before it shifts east
of the area. Next round of thunderstorms to affect the area looks to
move in from the NW well after the end of this forecast period.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
TUL   68  86  71  82 /  50  30  60  80
FSM   70  86  72  84 /  60  60  50  70
MLC   69  88  72  87 /  60  60  40  70
BVO   64  84  66  80 /  50  20  70  80
FYV   64  82  66  80 /  60  50  70  90
BYV   65  80  66  76 /  60  70  70  90
MKO   67  86  69  82 /  50  40  60  80
MIO   65  81  66  78 /  70  40  70  80
F10   66  87  69  84 /  50  50  50  80
HHW   69  89  72  90 /  40  40  20  50

&&

.TSA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OK...None.
AR...None.
&&

SHORT TERM...08
LONG TERM....08
AVIATION...69

Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 21, 8:07 PM CDT, 4 hours 18 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
807 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025

ARZ001-002-010-011-019-020-029-OKZ049-053>076-221030-
Adair OK-Benton AR-Carroll AR-Cherokee OK-Choctaw OK-Craig OK-
Crawford AR-Creek OK-Delaware OK-Franklin AR-Haskell OK-Latimer OK-
Le Flore OK-Madison AR-Mayes OK-McIntosh OK-Muskogee OK-Nowata OK-
Okfuskee OK-Okmulgee OK-Osage OK-Ottawa OK-Pawnee OK-Pittsburg OK-
Pushmataha OK-Rogers OK-Sebastian AR-Sequoyah OK-Tulsa OK-Wagoner OK-
Washington OK-Washington AR-
807 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025

This Outlook is for Northwest and West Central Arkansas as well as
much of Eastern Oklahoma.

.DAY ONE...This Evening and Tonight.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM.
	RISK...Limited.
	AREA...Eastern Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
	ONSET...Ongoing.

HEAVY RAIN.
	RISK...Limited.
	AREA...East Central and Southeast Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
	ONSET...Ongoing.

DISCUSSION...
Strong to severe thunderstorm activity that developed across much of
the region this afternoon has shifted into northwestern Arkansas and
has gradually weakened. Pockets of gusty outflow wind will be
possible with the stronger storms through this evening.

Additional thunderstorm development is expected across primarily
east central and southeastern Oklahoma, as well as northwestern
Arkansas late this evening and overnight. Some of this activity will
pose the threat for additional locally heavy rainfall, which could
result in localized flooding, and gusty wind.

SPOTTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACTION STATEMENT...
Local Spotter Activation May Be Needed.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.
MONDAY...Thunderstorm Potential...Heavy Rain Potential.
TUESDAY...Severe Thunderstorm Potential...Heavy Rain Potential.
WEDNESDAY...Thunderstorm Potential.
THURSDAY through SATURDAY...No Hazards.

EXTENDED DISCUSSION...
A fairly strong upper-level system will approach the area from the
northwest Monday night and Tuesday. With that will come the
possibility for one or two storm complexes that should be more robust
than the recent systems. If this setup evolves as current data
suggests, a more widespread swath of 3 to 5 inches of rain could
occur from Monday night into Tuesday night, with local multi-day
totals approaching 7 inches. These amounts would drive a threat for
more than local flash flooding and some river flooding. Current data
favor northwest Arkansas and adjacent portions of far eastern
Oklahoma for the heaviest rain potential, but this could easily shift
a number of counties in any direction at this point.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANNING STATEMENT...
Emergency managers and area responders should monitor the latest
information for Monday night and Tuesday. Given recent rains in
some areas, and the potential for excessive rains from Monday night
into Tuesday night, preparations for more widespread flooding issues
may need to happen on Monday.

weather.gov/tulsa contains additional information.

69

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 21, 7:36 PM CDT, 4 hours 49 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
736 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025

ARZ019-029-220100-
Sebastian AR-Crawford AR-
736 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL CRAWFORD AND
NORTHWESTERN SEBASTIAN COUNTIES THROUGH 800 PM CDT...

At 736 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 3 miles
north of Bonanza, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
         around unsecured objects.

Locations in or near the path include...
Lavaca...                         Kibler...
Greenwood...                      Central City...
Mill Creek...                     Rye Hill...
Barling...                        Bonanza...
Jenson...                         Fort Smith...
Fort Smith Regional Airport...    Jenny Lind...
Hackett...                        Van Buren...

This includes Interstate 540 between mile markers 5 and 14.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3522 9417 3519 9444 3539 9443 3547 9419
TIME...MOT...LOC 0036Z 258DEG 22KT 3529 9443

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

69

Special weather statement, Sep 21, 8:15 PM CDT, 4 hours 10 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
815 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025

ARZ019-029-OKZ072-220200-
Sebastian AR-Crawford AR-Sequoyah OK-
815 PM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN CRAWFORD...
NORTHWESTERN SEBASTIAN AND SOUTHEASTERN SEQUOYAH COUNTIES THROUGH 900
PM CDT...

At 815 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm over
Muldrow, moving east at 20 mph.

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

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations in or near the path include...
Figure Five...                    Mill Creek...
Barling...                        Roland...
Moffett...                        Cottonwood...
Fort Smith...                     Fort Smith Regional Airport...
Dora...                           Van Buren...
Muldrow...                        Arkoma...

This includes the following highways,
 Interstate 40 in Arkansas between mile markers 0 and 6.
 Interstate 40 in Oklahoma between mile markers 315 and 328.
 Interstate 540 between mile markers 1 and 13.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3530 9429 3530 9444 3538 9443 3538 9447
      3537 9449 3535 9448 3533 9450 3531 9448
      3530 9449 3530 9454 3533 9457 3533 9460
      3529 9463 3529 9466 3547 9469 3556 9434
TIME...MOT...LOC 0115Z 261DEG 15KT 3540 9459

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

69

Local storm report, Sep 21, 9:13 PM CDT, 3 hours 12 minutes before

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Special weather statement, Sep 21, 9:35 PM CDT, 2 hours 50 minutes before

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Special weather statement, Sep 21, 11:44 PM CDT, 41 minutes before

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Special weather statement, Sep 22, 12:14 AM CDT, 11 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Tulsa OK
1214 AM CDT Mon Sep 22 2025

ARZ019-020-029-220545-
Sebastian AR-Franklin AR-Crawford AR-
1214 AM CDT Mon Sep 22 2025

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN FRANKLIN...SOUTH
CENTRAL CRAWFORD AND CENTRAL SEBASTIAN COUNTIES THROUGH 1245 AM
CDT...

At 1214 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm 3 miles
southeast of Bloomer, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down small tree limbs and blow
         around unsecured objects.

Locations in or near the path include...
Charleston...                     Crossroads...
Central City...                   Witcherville...
Dayton...                         Milltown...
Branch...                         Excelsior...
Vesta...                          Cecil...
Ursula...                         Lavaca...
Altus...                          Denning...
Etna...                           Greenwood...
Alix...                           Bloomer...
Washburn...                       Meg...

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3538 9371 3537 9375 3540 9379 3542 9380
      3531 9381 3532 9392 3523 9392 3523 9403
      3514 9403 3514 9414 3510 9414 3513 9433
      3542 9427 3549 9371
TIME...MOT...LOC 0514Z 274DEG 26KT 3525 9411

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

The office that day

Everything else NWS Tulsa, OK issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Sep 21, 7:04 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	LeFlore, Sequoyah	41 min
Sep 21, 8:15 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Sequoyah	45 min
Sep 21, 8:23 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	TSA	LeFlore, Sequoyah	52 min
Sep 21, 9:35 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Sequoyah	40 min
Sep 22, 5:08 AM CDT	Dense Fog Advisory	TSA	Craig, Nowata, Ottawa, Washington	5 hr
Sep 22, 10:13 AM CDT	River Flood Advisory	TSA	Cherokee	4 hr
Sep 22, 12:21 PM CDT	Flood Watch	TSA	Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Haskell and 12 more	37 hr
Sep 21, 7:36 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Sebastian	24 min
Sep 21, 11:44 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Sebastian	31 min
Sep 22, 12:14 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	TSA	Sebastian	31 min
Sep 22, 3:53 AM CDT	Areal Flood Advisory	TSA	Franklin	4 hr
Sep 22, 5:54 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	TSA	Franklin	3 hr
Sep 22, 9:08 AM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	TSA	Franklin	6 hr

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Arkansas, 2025 Every severe thunderstorm warning 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.