Broad northwest flow aloft brought repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms to Arkansas. A stagnant weather pattern promoted water levels to rise above flood state across portion of Arkansas.
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.
Broad northwest flow aloft brought repeated rounds of showers and thunderstorms to Arkansas. A stagnant weather pattern promoted water levels to rise above flood state across portion of Arkansas. Less rainfall was noted later in the month, thus all rivers fell below flood stage before May ended.
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 11, 12:50 PM CST, 10 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Little Rock AR 150 PM CDT Thu May 11 2023 ...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM... .SHORT TERM... (This evening through Saturday) Issued at 148 PM CDT Thu May 11 2023 METSAT and radar show a widespread swath of rain moving into eastern portions of the state as of this afternoon. The rain is expected to exit the state to the east by this evening. Highs today are forecast to top out in the lower to mid 70s across the CWA. Areal flooding and river flooding remains a concern through the rest of the afternoon today, mainly across west-central, central, and south-central portions of the state, where 3-6+ inches of rainfall has fallen in the last 12 hours. Rain chances will continue through the short-term period, as an upper low and surface storm system slowly work northeastward across the central Plains, a warm front lifts north across the state, and a cold front slowly approaches from the west, being held off by an upper ridge and surface high pressure, which will rebuild across the forecast area after the aforementioned storm system moves farther north. During the overnight tonight/early morning period tomorrow, chances for scattered showers returns across much of the northern two-thirds of the state. By Friday afternoon, isolated to scattered showers and storms are forecast across much of the state through Friday evening. Rain chances continue through Saturday evening, with the greatest chances forecast across the northern portions of the CWA. One-quarter to one-half inch of additional rainfall will be possible through late Saturday. Much of this additional rain is expected over west, southwest, and central portions of the state, where much of today's rain has fallen. While widespread heavy rainfall is not expected during this time, isolated heavy rain will be a possibility, leading to a localized flash flood threat across these areas in the short-term. High temperatures Friday and Saturday will be in the 80s to lower 90s, with lows in the 60s to lower 70s. && .LONG TERM... (Saturday Night through next Thursday) Issued at 148 PM CDT Thu May 11 2023 The long term period will be much of the same pattern observed over the last several days. As surface high pressure remains to our east, expect southerly flow around that high pressure to bring moisture into the area. PoPs will remain elevated through much of the period with showers and storms possible most days. This will be a traditional summertime pattern where showers will likely be scattered in nature...meaning some areas will see them and some will not. Rain chances will be highest during the afternoon hours and dissipating after sunset. In regards to QPF amounts...this just depends where storms set up and how often through the period an area sees them. Overall, locations could see up to an inch of rainfall with isolated higher amounts possible. Severe weather is expected to remain on the low side, although, a severe storm or two cannot be ruled out. Temperatures are expected to be above average through the period with highs in the 80s to low 90s. Overnight low temperatures will likely drop into the upper 50s to 60s across the state. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Batesville AR 67 85 69 88 / 30 70 30 50 Camden AR 68 86 67 88 / 10 40 20 30 Harrison AR 65 84 65 85 / 40 50 20 60 Hot Springs AR 67 85 67 88 / 30 50 30 40 Little Rock AR 69 88 70 90 / 20 50 30 40 Monticello AR 69 88 70 89 / 10 30 20 30 Mount Ida AR 67 85 65 87 / 30 50 30 40 Mountain Home AR 66 85 66 86 / 40 50 20 60 Newport AR 68 85 69 88 / 40 60 30 50 Pine Bluff AR 68 87 69 89 / 20 40 30 30 Russellville AR 67 86 67 88 / 50 60 30 50 Searcy AR 67 86 67 89 / 30 60 30 50 Stuttgart AR 69 87 70 88 / 20 40 30 40 && .LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...71 LONG TERM....233 AVIATION...44
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Little Rock AR 406 AM CDT Thu May 11 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- 237-238-240-241-313-340-341-121000- 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- 406 AM CDT Thu May 11 2023 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for a Large Part of Arkansas. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue across the state for much of the day. Severe weather chances are low. Heavy rain is the main concern with some locations across central and southern Arkansas set to receive an additional 2-4 inches of rain which could lead to flash flooding. Some locations overnight picked up several inches of rain already. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected in the coming days. Rain chances will be highest during the heat of the afternoon and early evening. The severe weather threat should stay limited at most. No other hazardous weather is forecast through the long term period. .Spotter Information Statement... Spotter activation is not expected as this time. && Visit NWS Little Rock on the web. Go to http://weather.gov/lzk. 67/72
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
1226 PM CDT Thu May 11 2023
ARZ045>047-056-057-111800-
Monroe AR-Lonoke AR-Arkansas AR-Prairie AR-Jefferson AR-
1226 PM CDT Thu May 11 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Prairie, southeastern Lonoke, west central Monroe, northeastern
Jefferson and northwestern Arkansas Counties through 100 PM CDT...
At 1225 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
capable of producing a landspout near Humphrey, or 9 miles southwest
of Stuttgart, moving northeast at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Landspouts and winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
objects.
Locations impacted include...
Stuttgart... Humphrey...
Almyra... Ulm...
Stuttgart Municipal Airport... Brummitt...
Aberdeen... Slovak...
Lodge Corner... Almyra Airport...
Casscoe... Bayou Meteo State Game Area...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3422 9155 3434 9171 3442 9180 3477 9166
3453 9121
TIME...MOT...LOC 1725Z 208DEG 28KT 3437 9162
LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
233Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
110 PM CDT Thu May 11 2023
ARZ034-046-047-111845-
Monroe AR-Prairie AR-Woodruff AR-
110 PM CDT Thu May 11 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Woodruff, northeastern Prairie and northwestern Monroe Counties
through 145 PM CDT...
At 109 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
capable of producing a landspout near Hazen, moving northeast at 30
mph.
HAZARD...Landspouts and winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
objects.
Locations impacted include...
Brinkley... Des Arc...
Hazen... De Valls Bluff...
Fredonia... Peppers Landing...
Hallsville... Tollville...
Brasfield... Childers...
Dagmar WMA... Center Point...
Sand Hill...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3462 9148 3472 9166 3506 9156 3490 9119
TIME...MOT...LOC 1809Z 208DEG 28KT 3474 9154
LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
233Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
132 PM CDT Thu May 11 2023
ARZ034-046-047-111900-
Monroe AR-Prairie AR-Woodruff AR-
132 PM CDT Thu May 11 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Woodruff, northeastern Prairie and northwestern Monroe Counties
through 200 PM CDT...
At 132 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
capable of producing a landspout over Fredonia, or near De Valls
Bluff, moving north at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Landspouts, winds in excess of 40 mph, and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
objects.
Locations impacted include...
De Valls Bluff... Fredonia...
Peppers Landing... Cotton Plant...
Dagmar WMA... Little Dixie...
Brasfield...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3474 9135 3475 9146 3502 9143 3501 9125
TIME...MOT...LOC 1832Z 191DEG 28KT 3480 9139
LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
44PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
144 PM CDT THU MAY 11 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0115 PM FLASH FLOOD 2 E CALMER 33.94N 92.00W
05/11/2023 CLEVELAND AR DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
ARDOT REPORTS ALL LANES ON HWY 114 NEAR
JUPITER LANE CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER.
&&
JBCPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
155 PM CDT THU MAY 11 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1100 AM HEAVY RAIN 1 SE HOT SPRINGS NATION 34.51N 93.05W
05/11/2023 M6.05 INCH GARLAND AR CO-OP OBSERVER
OBSERVER MEASURED RAINFALL WITHIN THE LAST
24 HOURS.
&&
JBCSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
155 PM CDT Thu May 11 2023
ARZ033-046-111930-
White AR-Prairie AR-
155 PM CDT Thu May 11 2023
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Prairie and southeastern White Counties through 230 PM CDT...
At 155 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm
capable of producing a landspout near Des Arc, moving north at 25
mph.
HAZARD...Landspouts, winds in excess of 40 mph, and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Gusty winds
could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured
objects.
Locations impacted include...
Des Arc... Jasmine...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3494 9153 3494 9160 3513 9162 3513 9147
TIME...MOT...LOC 1855Z 188DEG 20KT 3497 9156
LANDSPOUT...POSSIBLE
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
44The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
6 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Heavy rainfall brought minor flooding to the Ouachita River at Arkadelphia in mid-May.
Heavy rainfall brought minor flooding to the Saline River at Benton in mid-May.
Heavy rainfall brought minor flooding to the Ouachita River at Thatcher L&D mid through late May.
Heavy rainfall brought minor flooding to the Ouachita River at Camden through mid-May.
Heavy rainfall brought minor flooding to the White River at Augusta in mid-May.
Heavy rainfall brought minor flooding to the Little Missouri River at Boughton in mid-May.
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, May 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: 1103880, 1103883, 1103881, 1103882, 1103884, 1103879.