Several inches of rain fell across Arkansas associated with a storm system moving across the region. Flash flooding and some severe weather was noted.
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.
Several inches of rain fell across Arkansas associated with a storm system moving across the region. Flash flooding and some severe weather was noted.
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 Mar 24, 2:11 AM CST, 2 hours 15 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Little Rock AR 311 AM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .SHORT TERM... (Today through Saturday Night ) Issued at 305 AM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023 To begin the period, a slow moving frontal boundary currently situated over the northwestern part of the state will continue to bring the chance for showers and thunderstorms across northern and central parts of the state. As we approach sunrise, expect showers and thunderstorms to become more widespread across central and northern Arkansas. Given latest CAMs, this looks to be a two- pronged event with initial convection this morning and a second round arriving later this afternoon and evening. Calmer conditions return by the end of the period as the front clears the state and high pressure builds in. As mentioned above, the weather system to impact the state today will bring the threat for damaging winds, tornadoes, hail, and heavy rainfall. As we continue into the afternoon hours, the frontal boundary (situated over NW AR) is expected to push east and southeast...as the front moves into a more favorable airmass, storms could intensify along and ahead of the front. High-res models are looking particularly concerning each model cycle as supercells could fire off ahead of the main line...followed by a squall line bringing the chance for QLCS tornadoes and damaging winds. This set up is looking particularly concerning for the southeastern half of the state, especially for portions of the ArkLaMiss region. Given dewpoints in the mid to upper 60s to near 70 degrees, CAPE values of 1000+ J/kg, 0-3 km SRH values of 300-500 m2/s2, and afternoon/evening timing of convection...it all points to an increasing threat for a severe weather outbreak. Please continue to monitor reliable weather sources for updated information and make sure you have a plan in place in case you are put under a tornado/severe thunderstorm warning. Also, make sure to remain weather aware today! An additional threat associated with this system looks to be the heavy rain/flooding potential. Model guidance suggests PWAT values could range from 1.50-1.75+ inches across the state. This becomes a greater concern when you look at how saturated soil conditions are given past rainfall events...elevating the threat for flooding. Long story short...the rainfall has no where to go. Given the latest model guidance...the highest QPF values look most likely across portions of northern and central Arkansas where two to four inches of rain are expected with locally higher amounts possible. Additionally, up to an inch will be possible for portions of southern Arkansas. A Flood Watch is in effect for portions of northern and central Arkansas through Saturday morning to express the concern for flooding in these areas. Given model uncertainty on extent of the heaviest rainfall...locations outside of the flood watch should still be aware of the flash flooding potential. Ultimately, the heaviest of the rain will be found along and north of wherever the warm fronts makes it. Temperatures are forecast to be above average through the period. High temperatures are expected to be in the lower 60s to lower 80s with overnight low temps in the lower 40s to upper 60s. && .LONG TERM... (Sunday through Thursday) Issued at 305 AM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023 Period will feature just a few showers over the far southern part of the state Sunday followed by several days of dry conditions. This in turn will be followed by yet another chance of precipitation to close out the period. The models are not in the best of agreement in the overall evolution of the pattern so a general middle of the road approach will be used. Period initiates with a broad cyclonic flow over the majority of the nation with a quasi stationary surface boundary remaining along the gulf coast. A wave is expected to develop along this boundary Sunday with maybe a few showers sneaking into the far southern part of the state but most areas will remain dry. With broad southerly flow in place, temperatures are expected to warm into the mid 60s to mid 70s. Upper flow will be largely zonal through the middle of the week with a non nondescript wave or two rippling through the prevailing flow. Other than occasional passing clouds, these waves will move through with little fan fare. High temperatures early next week are expected to be close to seasonal averages. Meanwhile another strong upper low will be slamming into the California coast around the middle part of the week. This system will move inland and into the the western high plains with lee side cyclogenesis expected. As the system kicks out to the northeast, moisture will be pulled back into the region with showers and the occasional thunderstorm returning late in the forecast period as the associated surface boundary approaches. Rainfall amounts do not appear to be excessive at this time. && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 1209 AM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023 Mostly MVFR conditions will prevail through the overnight hours with conditions to continuing to deteriorate through the early morning hours. As terminals are affected by SHRA/TSRA, expect MVFR/IFR conditions. Winds will be mostly out of the south and southeast and could be gusty at times. Precip will come to an end late in the period as a frontal boundary clears the area. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Batesville AR 69 50 69 46 / 100 70 0 0 Camden AR 79 52 75 47 / 90 40 0 0 Harrison AR 62 43 62 41 / 100 40 10 0 Hot Springs AR 72 50 71 46 / 100 40 0 0 Little Rock AR 76 52 74 48 / 100 60 0 0 Monticello AR 81 57 78 51 / 90 80 0 0 Mount Ida AR 70 48 71 44 / 100 30 0 0 Mountain Home AR 63 45 63 42 / 100 40 10 0 Newport AR 71 51 66 48 / 100 80 0 0 Pine Bluff AR 79 55 75 49 / 100 70 0 0 Russellville AR 69 47 70 43 / 100 40 0 0 Searcy AR 74 49 71 45 / 100 70 0 0 Stuttgart AR 78 54 72 49 / 100 90 0 0 && .LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Saturday morning for ARZ004>008-014>017-024- 025-031>034-039-042>046-103-112-113-121>123-130-137-138-140-141- 203-212-213-221>223-230-237-238-240-241-313-340-341. && SHORT TERM...233 LONG TERM....56 AVIATION...233
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Little Rock AR 420 AM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023 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- 237-238-240-241-313-340-341-250930- 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- 420 AM CDT Fri Mar 24 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for a Large Part of Arkansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Showers and thunderstorms will become widespread today as a cold front pushes through the area. There is an increase threat for severe storms this afternoon and evening as the cold front pushes through the state. The southeastern half of the state currently sees the greatest risk for hail...damaging winds...and tornadoes. Additionally, flash flooding will be possible across portions of the state given already saturated soils and heavy rainfall expected. Make sure to remain weather aware today and have multiple ways to receive warnings. Additionally, have a plan in place should you be put under a tornado warning. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .Spotter Information Statement... Spotter Activation May Be Required && Visit NWS Little Rock on the web. Go to http://weather.gov/lzk. 233/56
The Little Rock radar (KLZK), 82 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 10:26 UTC.
15 flash flood, 7 heavy rain, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous accidents occurred in areas of high water.
Heavy rain was measured at 2.50 inches in Jasper.
A house in Benton sustained moderate damage when two trees fell on the structure. Winds were believed to be sub severe, and the trees likely fell due to extremely saturated soil conditions.
Flash flooding was observed in multiple areas across the county, including water over multiple roadways.
A little more than 4 miles of state highway 80 was closed between Hon and Anderson due to flash flooding.
Widespread street flooding was observed in and around Clarksville. Rainfall was measured at 6.50 inches in Clarksville.
Numerous sites across the county reported between 4.00 and 4.25 inches of rain.
A 68-year old man on a motorcycle tried to cross a road at the Lake Winona spillway. He was swept off the pavement and down the Alum Fork Saline River where he drowned, 5 miles northwest of Paron.
Numerous roadways under water in and around Russellville.
Numerous roads in and north of Hot Springs were under water.
The Petit Jean River at Booneville rose approximately 16 feet and came out of its banks near Booneville.
Rainfall was measured at 3.10 inches on the south side of Petit Jean Mountain.
Rainfall was measured at 3.10 inches on the south side of Petit Jean Mountain.
At least one house was flooded, some bridges were underwater, and multiple roadways were flooded across the county.
Numerous roads and neighborhoods in North Little Rock flooded.
Numerous roads flooded near the UALR Campus.
Trees were blown down across the road in the Glen Rose area north of Malvern.
Access roads along Interstate 30 were flooded in places, in particular near exit 123.
Portions of Peters Road were underwater and nearly impassable.
Numerous roads in Cabot were underwater.
Numerous roads were underwater in Pine Bluff.
Multiple sections of Highway 38 were under water.
Rainfall was measured at 3.20 in Mena.
Rainfall was measured at 3.22 inches in Ravenden.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, March 2023
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: 1088178, 1088152, 1088154, 1088156, 1088158, 1088159, 1088160, 1090478, 1088161, 1088162, 1088163, 1088164, 1088165, 1088166, 1088167, 1088168, 1088169, 1088170, 1088171, 1088172, 1088173, 1088174, 1088176, 1088177.