Arkansas, 2024

Hail and Damaging Winds in Arkansas, January 11 to 12, 2024

January 11 to 12, 2024 · NWS LZK · 36 events in 18 counties and zones

A lifting warm front in conjunction with an approaching cold front from the northwest creating a recipe for convective severe weather as severe thunderstorms developed late in the evening of January 11th across central and northeast Arkansas leading to spotty wind damage and hail reports. However, transitioning into the early morning hours of the 12th, a line of storms swept across southern…

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
36

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS LZK wrote it up.

A lifting warm front in conjunction with an approaching cold front from the northwest creating a recipe for convective severe weather as severe thunderstorms developed late in the evening of January 11th across central and northeast Arkansas leading to spotty wind damage and hail reports. However, transitioning into the early morning hours of the 12th, a line of storms swept across southern Arkansas producing damaging straight line winds.

What forecasters said that day

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 Jan 11, 5:42 PM CST, 2 hours 31 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 11, 5:42 PM CST, 2 hours 31 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 11, 3:05 PM CST, 5 hours 8 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
305 PM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

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-
237-238-240-241-313-340-341-121100-
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-
305 PM CST Thu Jan 11 2024

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

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible this evening into
the overnight hours as a strong storm system moves across the
state. Large hail and damaging winds will be possible with the
strongest storms. A tornado or two could be seen. The best chances
for seeing any strong to severe thunderstorms will be across the
southwest two-thirds of the area...with an enhanced threat for
severe weather across far southwest sections.

Breezy southerly winds will also be seen this afternoon and
tonight. Sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected...with
gusts over 30 mph possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday

The threat for seeing severe weather will decrease on Friday
morning. However...much colder air will arrive Friday
morning...which will cause rain to switch to snow across northwest
and northern sections of the area. Snowfall accumulations of a
dusting to around an inch will be possible...with locally higher
amounts possible...especially in the higher terrain of the
Ozarks. Some light snow will also be possible across the higher
elevations of western Arkansas...but less moisture will be seen
here.

Breezy west and northwest winds will be seen on Friday as well.
Expect sustained winds of 20 to over 30 mph...with gusts of 35 to
over 40 mph possible. Some areas may see wind gusts approach 50
in the higher terrain. These winds combined with much colder air
will cause wind chill values to drop into the single digits and
teens on Friday...which should continue into early Saturday.

The brunt of bitterly cold Arctic air will surge in from the
northwest on Sunday with a prolonged period of sub- freezing
temperatures likely through mid-week. Add in breezy northwest
winds and conditions will be dangerous with the coldest conditions
expected on Tuesday. Wind chill values as low as 20 to 30 degrees
below zero are likely over northwestern Arkansas on Tuesday
morning with values between 0 and 10 below for the remainder of
the state.

Additionally, significant snowfall is expected during this time with
snow beginning on Sunday and finally tapering off by Tuesday
morning. Forecast adjustments are entirely possible if not likely,
but at this time it appears that locations along and north of the I-
30/I-40 corridor could see upwards of 5 to 7 inches of accumulation
with locally higher amounts. South of this, totals of 2 to 4 inches
appear likely, tapering off to between 1 and 2 inches near the
Arkansas/Louisiana state line.

.Spotter Information Statement...

Spotter activation will not be needed.

&&

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

69/74/73/62

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jan 11, 8:00 PM CST, 13 minutes before
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The radar

The Little Rock radar (KLZK), 85 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:13 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

23 thunderstorm wind, 13 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Pope

When
January 11, 8:13 PM CST
Where
Pope County, Pottsville
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.250, -93.050

Quarter sized hail fell in the town of Pottsville, AR.

Hail, Montgomery

When
January 11, 10:16 PM CST
Where
Montgomery County, 1.38 mi N of Caddo Gap
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
34.420, -93.620

A mPING report of quarter-sized hail that fell near Caddo Gap, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Perry

When
January 11, 10:32 PM CST
Where
Perry County, 0.69 mi N of Perryville
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.010, -92.800

A trained spotter estimated a thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph in the community of Perryville, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Perry

When
January 11, 10:34 PM CST
Where
Perry County, 1.79 mi ESE of Perryville
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
34.987, -92.773

Multiple trees were blown down near the community of Perryville, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Perry

When
January 11, 10:35 PM CST to 10:55 PM CST
Where
Perry County, 3.07 mi SW of Houston to 5.27 mi ENE of Nogal
Measured
65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
35.000, -92.740

The roofs of at least a couple of mobile homes were damaged and trees were downed or snapped between Perryville and Conway.

Thunderstorm Wind, Perry

When
January 11, 10:52 PM CST
Where
Perry County, 0.57 mi E of Nogal
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
35.080, -92.560

Multiple trees were blown down on Allan Point Road along with a tree that fell onto a house between Stony Brook, AR and the western side of Conway, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saline

When
January 11, 11:00 PM CST
Where
Saline County, 2.99 mi SSW of Blocher
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
34.640, -92.920

Several trees were blown down with a few trees falling onto homes near Lake Balboa.

Hail, Faulkner

When
January 11, 11:02 PM CST
Where
Faulkner County, 2.07 mi N of Greenbrier
Measured
0.75 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
35.260, -92.400

Penny sized hail fell near Greenbrier, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Saline

When
January 11, 11:07 PM CST
Where
Saline County, 2.68 mi NW of Owensville
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
34.650, -92.850

Social media public report of message showing image of several snapped and trees blown down along Largo Drive near the community of Owensville, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Arkansas

When
January 11, 11:20 PM CST
Where
Arkansas County, 1.31 mi WSW of Lynn
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
35.990, -91.270

Multiple trees were uprooted and blown down in the community of Lynn, AR. Estimated wind gusts of 70 mph were determined.

Hail, Pulaski

When
January 11, 11:29 PM CST
Where
Pulaski County, 2.19 mi SW of Pinnacle
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
34.800, -92.500

Quarter-sized hail fell per a NWS employee near the vicinity of Pinnacle, AR.

Hail, Faulkner

When
January 11, 11:33 PM CST
Where
Faulkner County, 0.69 mi N of Saltillo
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
35.040, -92.330

Nickel sized hail fell in the town of Satillo, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Arkansas

When
January 11, 11:38 PM CST
Where
Arkansas County, 0.89 mi NE of Giles Spur
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
36.140, -90.860

A large outdoor shed had the pillars ripped from the concrete with substantial damage to the structure along with the partial destruction of several silos northwest of the community of Walnut Ridge, AR. Estimated wind gusts for this survey were 80 mph.

Hail, Pulaski

When
January 11, 11:39 PM CST
Where
Pulaski County, 0.69 mi S of Maumelle
Measured
1.25 in hail
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.860, -92.400

Half dollar sized hail fell in the community of Maumelle, AR.

Hail, Pulaski

When
January 11, 11:41 PM CST
Where
Pulaski County, 0.89 mi NE of Morgan
Measured
1.25 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
34.890, -92.360

A mPING report of half dollar sized hail fell in the community of Morgan, AR.

Hail, Pulaski

When
January 11, 11:42 PM CST
Where
Pulaski County, 0.57 mi W of Marche
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
34.870, -92.360

Quarter sized hail fell in the town of Marche, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Independence

When
January 11, 11:53 PM CST
Where
Independence County, 0.89 mi NE of Pleasant Plains
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.560, -91.620

Multiple trees and power lines were blown down and snapped across the community of Pleasant Plains, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Independence

When
January 12, 12:07 AM CST
Where
Independence County, 0.69 mi N of Oil Trough
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.640, -91.470

Several trees and powerlines were blown down across the town of Oil Trough, AR.

Hail, Faulkner

When
January 12, 12:15 AM CST
Where
Faulkner County, 1.79 mi NE of Cato
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
34.950, -92.250

Quarter sized hail fell in the community of Cato, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When
January 12, 12:19 AM CST
Where
Jackson County, 1.82 mi WSW of Ingleside
Measured
60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
35.470, -91.350

The mesonet station ARD22 at AR Highway 67 and the White River measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 69 mph.

Hail, Saline

When
January 12, 12:21 AM CST
Where
Saline County, 2.99 mi NNE of New Summit
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
34.670, -92.510

An mPING report of quarter size hail that fell near Springhill, AR just north of Bryant, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pulaski

When
January 12, 12:25 AM CST
Where
Pulaski County, Cammack
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
34.780, -92.350

A trained storm spotter estimated thunderstorm wind gusts of 65 mph at the intersection of Markham Street and Santa Fe Trail in western Little Rock, AR.

Hail, White

When
January 12, 12:28 AM CST
Where
White County, 1.69 mi E of Searcy
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
35.250, -91.720

Ping pong ball sized hail fell in Searcy, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Pulaski

When
January 12, 12:34 AM CST
Where
Pulaski County, 0.89 mi NW of Halstead
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
34.730, -92.410

A mPING report of power poles snapped and 3-inch tree limbs broken in the Brodie Creek neighborhood on the western side of Little Rock, AR.

Hail, White

When
January 12, 12:38 AM CST
Where
White County, 0.69 mi S of Bald Knob
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.310, -91.570

Quarter sized hail fell in the community of Bald Knob, AR.

Hail, Conway

When
January 12, 1:59 AM CST
Where
Conway County, 0.69 mi N of Oppelo
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.110, -92.770

Quarter sized hail fell in the community of Oppelo, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Hot Spring

When
January 12, 4:00 AM CST
Where
Hot Spring County, 0.69 mi S of Rockport
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.370, -92.820

Several trees fell across Hot Spring County and specifically in the vicinity of Rockport, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When
January 12, 4:27 AM CST
Where
Grant County, 1.5 mi NNE of Turin
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
34.290, -92.490

Multiple roofs were damaged between the communities of Prattsville, AR and Sheridan, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When
January 12, 4:35 AM CST
Where
Grant County, 0.69 mi N of Sheridan
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.310, -92.400

Numerous trees were blown down across Grant County, specifically in Sheridan, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Grant

When
January 12, 4:38 AM CST
Where
Grant County, Sheridan
Measured
70 kt (81 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Storm Survey
Coordinates
34.300, -92.400

Numerous trees were completely uprooted in the town of Sheridan, AR with radar estimated winds supportive of thunderstorm wind gusts of 80 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Calhoun

When
January 12, 5:05 AM CST
Where
Calhoun County, 0.69 mi N of Hampton
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
33.540, -92.470

Several trees were blown down in the town of Hampton, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When
January 12, 5:16 AM CST
Where
Jefferson County, (Pbf)pine Bluff Arpt
Measured
64 kt (74 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
34.180, -91.930

The ASOS at Pine Bluff/Grider Field Airport measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 74 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Arkansas

When
January 12, 5:35 AM CST
Where
Arkansas County, 0.57 mi E of Humphrey
Measured
56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.420, -91.680

Numerous powerlines were knocked down near the community of Humphrey, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Prairie

When
January 12, 5:37 AM CST
Where
Prairie County, (Sgt)stuttgart Municipal Airport
Measured
63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
34.600, -91.570

The AWOS station at Stuttgart Municipal Airport measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 72 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Monroe

When
January 12, 6:10 AM CST
Where
Monroe County, Holly Grove
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
34.600, -91.200

Several trees were blown down in the community of Holly Grove, AR.

Thunderstorm Wind, Drew

When
January 12, 6:15 AM CST
Where
Drew County, 0.9 mi SE of Tillar Muni Arpt
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
33.710, -91.460

Several large trees were blown down along with house damage near Tillar, AR.

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Arkansas in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, January 2024

Sources

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1156855, 1156989, 1156856, 1156857, 1156987, 1156988, 1156844, 1157009, 1156845, 1157330, 1156847, 1157010, 1157332, 1156848, 1156849, 1156851, 1156993, 1156994, 1157011, 1156992, 1156846, 1156852, 1156842, 1156853, 1156843, 1157012, 1156995, 1156996, 1156998, 1156999, 1157013, 1156991, 1157014, 1156854, 1156990, 1157015.