An approaching frontal boundary to the Natural State at the beginning of the episode would become a stationary boundary as the upper level flow pattern would begin as an approaching positively-tilted trough axis which would become an omega block and lock the mesoscale feature of the stationary boundary in position across Arkansas leading to a multiple day period of severe weather.
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.
An approaching frontal boundary to the Natural State at the beginning of the episode would become a stationary boundary as the upper level flow pattern would begin as an approaching positively-tilted trough axis which would become an omega block and lock the mesoscale feature of the stationary boundary in position across Arkansas leading to a multiple day period of severe weather.
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 27, 11:46 AM CST, 8 hours 34 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED National Weather Service Little Rock AR 1246 PM CDT Wed May 27 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Issued at 1249 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 -Unsettled pattern will provide continued daily rain chances across the state. -Near to below normal temperatures expected the next several days. -Severe weather chances are very low, some locally heavy rainfall is possible. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1249 AM CDT Wed May 27 2026 Will be monitoring for the development of dense fog through sunrise across portions of the state. Main concerns will be across northern Arkansas with potential FG development also possible across central portions of the state. These areas saw some of the more widespread, heavy rainfall on Tuesday. At the H500 level, the Omega Block pattern remains and will persist through the weekend before changes are possible. Mid- level ridging extends from the SE US toward the N/NW across the Upper MS River Valley. This feature is flanked by two cutoff cyclones, one of which is in place over central California while the other is just NE of Maine. Extending east from the CA cyclone is a mid-level trough oriented from near the OK/TX Panhandles SE toward the Houston area. As this feature lifts north today and Thursday it will become a focus for widespread rain and thunderstorm development across the state and nearby areas. A weak sfc boundary will lift north as well which will help enhance precip coverage as well. Will see an increase in PW values (1.75"-2.25") across the area Wed/Thu which could help provide some localized heavy downpours as storms lift north across the state. The overall pattern will remain similar through the weekend and in addition to daily chances for rain and thunderstorms, temperatures will be slightly below normal for late May across Arkansas. A pattern shift may be seen near the end of the period, but confidence remains low regarding the timeline and overall evolution of this change. && .AVIATION... (18Z TAFS) Issued at 1238 PM CDT Wed May 27 2026 Mixed VFR to IFR condns were prevalent acrs the FA near 27/18Z, w/ sctd TSRA ongoing near most terminals. Expect convective activity to continue in waves thru Wed night. Intermittent MVFR to IFR condns wl accompany passing precip activity. In the wake of precip Wed night, CIGs are expected to deteriorate to IFR levels at most terminals by 28/12Z Thurs mrng. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Batesville AR 66 79 66 79 / 70 80 70 70 Camden AR 66 81 66 85 / 50 30 40 50 Harrison AR 64 76 64 77 / 70 80 70 80 Hot Springs AR 67 80 66 82 / 60 40 50 60 Little Rock AR 67 80 66 81 / 70 60 70 60 Monticello AR 68 81 68 84 / 50 40 40 60 Mount Ida AR 68 79 67 82 / 60 40 50 70 Mountain Home AR 64 77 64 77 / 70 80 70 80 Newport AR 67 81 67 81 / 60 70 70 70 Pine Bluff AR 68 81 67 83 / 60 50 50 60 Russellville AR 67 80 67 81 / 70 60 60 70 Searcy AR 65 80 65 81 / 70 70 60 70 Stuttgart AR 69 81 68 82 / 60 60 60 60 && .LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && DISCUSSION...67 AVIATION...72
The Little Rock radar (KLZK), 94 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:17 UTC.
9 flash flood, 4 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.
The intersection of Arkansas Highway 7 and East O Street was closed due the flooding of the intersection in the city of Russellville.
Water completely covered a hotel parking lot with several inches of water in the city of Russellville.
Flooding over Pike Ave in North Little Rock occurred near the vicinity of Pike Avenue and Interstate 40.
A person was swept off of a bridge by flood waters in the town of Oxley. No injuries were reported, but the person had to be rescued from the swift moving water.
Water was over Arkansas Highway 74 along Long Creek leading the roadway becoming impassable in multiple locations near the town of Landis.
Rising flood waters in the town of Cleveland neared the foundations of multiple mobile homes.
Numerous streets within the town of Flippin were closed due to street flooding, including the streets of 3rd, 8th, and Girard.
A creek in Batavia overflowed its banks leading to widespread flooding along Arkansas Highway 392 in the vicinity of the Batavia Assembly of God Church.
Numerous roads throughout Yell County were impacted by flood waters covering roadways including the intersection of Arkansas Highway 27 and Liberty Road west of the town of Dardanelle.
Multiple trees were uprooted near the town of Clinton.
A large hardwood tree was blow down in the community of Gravesville.
A large hardwood tree was blown over onto a residence near the town of Gravesville resulting in major structural damage to the residence. No injuries were reported.
A CO-OP observer estimated winds at 60 mph in the town of Damascus.
Quarter-sized hail fell in the town of Scott east-southeast of Little Rock.
Quarter-sized hail fell in the town of Searcy.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Arkansas in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Arkansas, May 2026
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: 1344677, 1344678, 1344679, 1344680, 1344681, 1344684, 1344682, 1344683, 1342953, 1342956, 1342958, 1342959, 1342957, 1342954, 1342955.