For much of the state, May 13th was the end of the heatwave as a cold front moved into the area and showers and thunderstorms developed. Thunderstorms were most widespread on the 15th with several reports of hail as large as golf balls and numerous wind damage reports.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS LZK wrote it up.
For much of the state, May 13th was the end of the heatwave as a cold front moved into the area and showers and thunderstorms developed. Thunderstorms were most widespread on the 15th with several reports of hail as large as golf balls and numerous wind damage reports. A wind gust of 58 mph was recorded at the Jacksonville/LR Air Force Base.
Some relief (cooler air) came on the 15th in the form of a cold front. At the same time, there were strong to severe storms ahead of the front. Storms were sure to thrive given an enormous amount of energy in place. Models showed a line of storms traversing the region from northwest to southeast during the afternoon, and these were expected to unleash strong to damaging winds. Updrafts into some storms were likely to be powerful enough to suspend hailstones aloft, and allow them to grow. So, very large hail was possible. There were already a few hailstorms on the 14th, with lime size hail at Jasper (Newton County), and golf ball size hail at Harrison (Boone County). Tornadoes were much less likely because steering winds were generally weak (30 knots or less), and there was not much shear.
Between 1100 am and 1200 pm CST, a large cluster of storms arrived from Missouri. Ahead of the cluster, isolated to scattered storms erupted mainly north and west of Little Rock (Pulaski County). Golf ball size hail was reported at Boxley (Newton County) and the west side of Russellville (Pope County). There was half dollar size hail at London and just north of Russellville (both in Pope County), and quarter size stones at Chickalah (Yell County), Nimrod (Perry County), and Paris (Logan County).
As the afternoon progressed, the cluster of storms worked from northwest into central and southeast Arkansas. Numerous trees and power lines were downed, with some trees on houses. At least 50,000 power outages were noted at one point. At Russellville (Pope County), a tree fell on a vehicle, and two people had to be extricated and taken to the hospital. A tree also came down on a travel trailer close to Hazen (Prairie County). Fallen trees blocked Highway 7 near Fourche Junction (Perry County), Highway 46 at Sheridan (Grant County), and Highway 54 at Sulphur Springs (Jefferson County). Roads were blocked by trees at a campground northeast of Fifty Six (Stone County). A roof was blown off of a storage building west of Hot Springs (Garland County).
There was a 58 mph gust at the Little Rock Air Force Base (Pulaski County), a 56 mph gust at McCreanor (Lonoke County), a 55 mph gust at Little Rock National Airport (Pulaski County), and a 54 mph gust at the Stuttgart Airport in Fairmount (Prairie County).
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at May 13, 1:07 PM CST, 3 hours 12 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Little Rock AR 207 PM CDT Fri May 13 2022 .SHORT TERM...Tonight Through Sunday This afternoon through Saturday we will see moisture flow into the area from a low pressure system over the southeast. While severe weather is not expected, a rumble of thunder along with some small hail cannot be ruled out. Current high-res model depicts two rounds with the first round this afternoon and evening across eastern (possibly central) Arkansas. A second round is expected Saturday as rain pushes south from MO/KS. This round will likely prove to be the best chance for much of the state to receive rain/thunderstorms. QPF will be highest for whichever areas see those thunderstorms. As of right now, an isolated one to two inches cannot be ruled out for portions of the state. But as mentioned above, this rain amount is conditional on thunderstorm development. Not every location will see this amount. Most areas will likely only see up to half and inch. Expect high temperatures to be in the 80s and 90s through the period. Overnight low temperatures are expected to be in the 60s and 70s. && .LONG TERM...Sunday Night Through Friday The period begins late Sunday with NW upper flow and a weakening upper ridge upstream. The ridge will shift eastward through the period, weakening/deamplifying as it does so, as several disturbances move along the flow. By the middle of next week, zonal flow will set up across the southern U.S. through the end of the week. As the ridge shifts eastward Monday, an upper trough to the north and a cold front will push eastward, the cold front moving more SEerly across the state by Monday morning. Showers and storms will move from north to south across the state during this period. Up to one-half inch of rainfall will be possible across parts of northern AR, with less than one-quarter inch forecast across central and southern portions of the state. Dry conditions are forecast the rest of the day Monday, with slight rain chances returning Tues afternoon/night, and again Wed afternoon/night as the cold front lifts back to the north as a warm front and a frontal boundary stalls north of the state. The cold front with increased cloud cover and rainfall will cool temperatures Monday, with highs forecast in the upper 70s to the mid 80s across the northern half of the CWA, upper 80s to lower 90s across the southern half (still above average). Temps will warm again by mid week, with highs in the 80s and 90s across the forecast area (10 to 15 degrees above average). && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Batesville AR 67 86 64 88 / 40 20 10 10 Camden AR 67 91 65 93 / 20 20 10 0 Harrison AR 63 82 62 85 / 50 10 10 20 Hot Springs AR 67 89 66 91 / 20 20 10 10 Little Rock AR 69 89 68 91 / 20 20 10 10 Monticello AR 67 89 66 92 / 20 30 10 0 Mount Ida AR 65 89 64 91 / 30 20 10 10 Mountain Home AR 63 84 62 87 / 50 10 10 20 Newport AR 67 85 66 87 / 50 30 10 10 Pine Bluff AR 69 89 68 91 / 20 30 10 0 Russellville AR 66 88 65 90 / 30 20 10 10 Searcy AR 66 87 64 88 / 30 20 10 10 Stuttgart AR 69 88 68 90 / 30 30 10 0 && .LZK Watches/Warnings/Advisories...NONE. && Short Term...233 / Long Term...71
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Little Rock AR 208 PM CDT Fri May 13 2022 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- 237-238-240-241-313-340-341-141500- 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- 208 PM CDT Fri May 13 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for a Large Part of Arkansas. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight Hot temperatures are expected across much of the state today. Heat index values could approach 100 degrees and high temperatures could break daily records. Thunderstorms are expected to develop across parts of the state from this afternoon through the overnight hours. Some storms could produce strong wind gusts and locally heavy rain. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday Through Thursday By Sunday, a cold front will approach the region, with showers and thunderstorms developing along and ahead of it. There will be a possibility of a few strong to severe thunderstorms along and ahead of the front as it moves through Arkansas on Sunday afternoon and night. Any severe storms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rain. By mid to late week, readings will warm back into the 90s in most areas again. .Spotter Information Statement... Spotter activation is not anticipated at this time. && Visit NWS Little Rock on the web. Go to http://weather.gov/lzk.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
500 PM CDT Fri May 13 2022
ARZ064-065-069-132230-
Drew AR-Lincoln AR-Desha AR-
500 PM CDT Fri May 13 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central Desha,
northeastern Drew and southeastern Lincoln Counties through 530 PM
CDT...
At 500 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Mills, or near Dumas, moving southeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch 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...
Dumas... Rohwer...
Gould... Mitchellville...
Tillar... Watson...
Winchester... Omega...
Mills... Kelso...
McGehee... Reed...
Garrett Bridge... Gourd...
Reedville... Fresno...
Yukon... Pickens in Desha County...
Avery...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3395 9173 3403 9168 3401 9150 3387 9115
3362 9145
TIME...MOT...LOC 2200Z 311DEG 15KT 3392 9157
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
232The Little Rock radar (KLZK), 120 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:19 UTC.
46 thunderstorm wind, 19 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A shed was destroyed along Highway 293.
The report was relayed via NWS Chat.
In the flatwoods area east of Jasper, 1.60 inch hail was measured.
Made a phone call to a local store north of Jasper.
Updated...received a social media report with a picture from Jasper showing a mix of hail sizes, with the largest being two inches.
A social media video showed nickel sized hail falling in Harrison.
Half dollar size hail reported via mPING.
Golf ball sized hail was reported near Boxley.
Trees and power lines were down near Western Grove.
Water from Mill Creek was flowing over the Hwy. 7 bridge at Dogpatch.
A social media picture of several golf ball sized hail stones was posted from Marina Rd. near Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Trees were blown down countywide.
Quarter size hail was reported via mPING.
Trees were blown down across the county.
Reports were received of trees and power lines down across Johnson Co. The location is based on radar data and power outage maps.
A picture was shown on social media of a large tree limb, over a foot in diameter, that fell on the bed of a truck.
Trees and power lines were down in Mountain Home.
A picture was shown on social media of a tree blown over onto a truck in Big Flat.
Large tree limbs were downed.
Numerous trees were down along Gunner Pool Rd. The EM reported campers were trapped within the campground due to trees blocking the road. There were no injuries and no significant damage at the campground itself.
Nickel to quarter size hail was reported in Paris by the EM.
A tree fell on a house near North Detroit Ave. in Russellville. No injuries were reported.
A tree fell on a vehicle near East 4th Street in Russellville. Two people were extricated from the vehicle and taken to the local hospital.
Trees and power lines were down.
The observer had a few trees down around his house.
The Perry County Dispatch relayed via ham radio operator that Highway 7 just south of the Fourche LaFave River was completely blocked with trees. Alpin Fire Dept. was dispatched to clear the road.
Trees and power lines were down near Langley Trailer Park.
A social media picture showed a large tree limb down, approximately a foot in diameter.
A tree was downed on Hwy. 36 at Debbie Lane just south of Holland.
Pictures were emailed to the office showing multiple trees down around Cloverdale Blvd. One tree that fell caused minor damage to a house.
Large branches and a tree were down on Susan Drive.
A social media picture showed a large tree over two feet in diameter blown over on |Cedar Creek Rd. in North Little Rock. Power lines were also knocked down in the area.
A large tree was knocked down and partially blocking Jacksonville-Cato Rd. between Gibson and Gravel Ridge.
Trees were down at Newport.
A tree fell on a power line on North Hills Blvd. just north of Crestwood.
A 50 KT peak wind gust (58 mph) was recorded at the Little Rock Air Force Base weather station.
Social media showed a picture of a large tree, a foot in diameter, partially blown over, with a large limb knocked down. Additionally, the picture depicted a flag pole that was partially bent. The time is based on radar.
Trees were down near Owensville.
Power lines were reported down all around Garland County. A roof was blown off a storage building in the 6000 block of Albert Pike Rd. in Hot Springs.
Reports of multiple trees down on power lines were received from Des Arc. These were relayed via NWSChat.
A social media picture showed a pontoon boat in the Ashley Downs Subdivision that had been blown away from it's original resting location into a drainage area behind the owner's house. The boat was upright on it's trailer and relatively undamaged.
Trees were down at Benton.
Trees were reported downed in Lonoke.
Social media showed a picture of a tree that was blown onto an Airstream trailer, significantly damaging the trailer. No injuries were reported. Time is based on radar data.
Trees were reported down all around Prairie County. A power line was down on Hwy. 302 in Hazen.
Trees were down near East End.
The local EM relayed that a business in Poyen sustained roof damage.
Local officials reported numerous trees and power lines down across Grant County. A tree was knocked over, blocking Hwy. 46 North in Sheridan, and ARDOT and Sheridan fire dept. were dispatched to clear the road.
Local officials reported trees and power lines down near Country Club Rd. and Floyd Brown Rd. in Brinkley. Time is based on radar data.
A tree was reported down across Manford Road at Caddo Gap.
Social media had a picture of a large pine tree that was knocked over onto a power line on Grant County Rd. 606. Grant County Sheriff's Deputy was dispatched to the scene. The time was based on radar.
A picture on social media showed a large tree, over a foot in diameter, down on a road in Stuttgart.
Arkansas State Police reported a tree down across Hwy. 54, approximately 4 miles west of Hwy. 79, completely blocking the road, relayed by local EM. The time was based on radar.
Trees were down at Kingsland.
Trees were down countywide.
Trees were down south of the University of Arkansas at Monticello campus.
Trees and power lines were down along Hwy. 35.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, May 2022
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1029068, 1029069, 1029070, 1029072, 1029074, 1029077, 1029076, 1029078, 1029083, 1029086, 1029088, 1029089, 1029090, 1029091, 1029092, 1029093, 1029094, 1030921, 1031289, 1031291, 1031292, 1030923, 1030924, 1031293, 1031294, 1030925, 1031295, 1031297, 1031298, 1030926, 1030931, 1031299, 1030932, 1030933, 1030936, 1031301, 1030937, 1030976, 1031302, 1031304, and more.