The combination of multiple frontal boundaries draped across central Arkansas in cohesion with approaching H500 troughs led to an atmosphere that was conducive for the development of multiple storms across the state. The majority of these isolated storms would remain strong, but a few managed to become severe producing a few instances of severe wind gusts and large hail.
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.
The combination of multiple frontal boundaries draped across central Arkansas in cohesion with approaching H500 troughs led to an atmosphere that was conducive for the development of multiple storms across the state. The majority of these isolated storms would remain strong, but a few managed to become severe producing a few instances of severe wind gusts and large hail. Additionally, as cold air aloft remained increasingly cold and air at the surface became increasingly hot multiple cold air funnels were noted with a few strong thunderstorms across the state.
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 6, 12:13 AM CST, 1 hour 2 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Little Rock AR 113 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Issued at 1124 PM CDT Tue May 5 2026 -Strong/severe thunderstorms remain possible overnight/Wednesday morning...mainly isolated severe threat -Locally heavy rainfall possible...potentially along an axis along/south of I-40 corridor -Cooler/calmer conditions expected Wednesday night into the rest of the week into the weekend. -Another round of active weather possible late weekend && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1124 PM CDT Tue May 5 2026 SFC cold front continues to drop south/SE late this Tue evening...with most if not all convection observed so far with this event occurring post frontal. Mid-level warm air/capping inversion continues to hold...combined with the persistent cloud cover resulting in lack of significant heating during the afternoon hrs has kept most activity at bay. SHR has remained impressive enough however...with 40-60+ kts...which has caused most struggling updrafts to shear apart. As a result...the overall threat for SVR Wx has decreased considerably. However...some isolated strong to briefly SVR convection may still be possible along/ahead of the SFC front if the front and LLJ can overcome the increasing CIN. What may develop could be some locally heavy rainfall as elevated convection may redevelop and train over the same areas behind the front later tonight into the morning hrs on Wed. The areas that could see the heavier rainfall would be in a general east/west corridor over central sections...or maybe along/south of the I-40 corridor. This may continue even as the cold front continues to push further south towards the AR/LA border shortly after sunrise...as advertised in the later runs of the hi-res guidance. Given the front should likely be along or even south of the AR/LA border by late morning on Wed...the overall threat for SVR Wx should remain mainly south of the CWA for Wed daylight hrs. However...there could still be some potential for strong/briefly SVR elevated convection that could generate a large hail threat. This will likely be more limited to far SERN sections. Cooler and calmer conditions will then be seen behind the front for late Wed night through much of the work week. Chances for convection do return to the forecast by sometime over the weekend as a new cold front moves into the region late Sat into Sun. More strong to SVR convection may be possible with this activity given the time of year. However...details regarding exact severe weather details will need to be ironed out in the coming days. && .AVIATION... (06Z TAFS) Issued at 1259 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026 IFR/MVFR conds are expected to prevail at most locations through much of the TAF period. SHRA/TSRA were developing behind a cold front, with large hail the main concern. SHRA/TSRA activity is expected to come to end over Nrn sites by Wed morning, otherwise periods of precip are expected over Cntrl/Srn sites through the period. Winds will become N/NE behind the front at around 10 kts. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Batesville AR 61 48 70 48 / 50 10 0 0 Camden AR 65 50 71 50 / 80 60 0 0 Harrison AR 62 44 66 45 / 20 0 0 0 Hot Springs AR 63 49 72 49 / 80 30 0 0 Little Rock AR 63 50 70 50 / 80 40 0 0 Monticello AR 65 53 71 52 / 90 80 0 0 Mount Ida AR 64 48 72 47 / 70 20 0 0 Mountain Home AR 64 45 67 44 / 20 0 0 0 Newport AR 61 50 69 50 / 50 10 0 0 Pine Bluff AR 62 51 69 50 / 80 60 0 0 Russellville AR 64 49 71 48 / 50 10 0 0 Searcy AR 62 48 70 47 / 70 20 0 0 Stuttgart AR 62 52 69 52 / 80 50 0 0 && .LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...99 LONG TERM....99 AVIATION...70
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
1239 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026
ARZ042-043-054-141-060615-
Hot Spring AR-Saline AR-Garland AR-
Central and Eastern Montgomery County AR-
1239 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Garland, western
Saline, northern Hot Spring and southeastern Montgomery Counties
through 115 AM CDT
...
At 1239 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Meyers, or 13 miles east of Mount Ida, moving northeast at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size 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...
Hot Springs... Hot Springs Village...
Malvern... Mountain Pine...
Rockport... Hot Springs Memorial Field...
Jessieville... Meyers...
Lake Ouachita State Park... Lofton...
Rockwell... Hot Springs National Park...
Magnet Cove... Oaklawn Racetrack...
Bonnerdale... Sunshine...
Royal... Gulpha Gorge...
Hempwallace... Red Oak...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3436 9343 3449 9351 3479 9298 3438 9277
TIME...MOT...LOC 0539Z 244DEG 42KT 3448 9340
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
62Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
111 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026
ARZ137-140-237-240-060700-
Northern Scott County AR-Polk County Lower Elevations AR-
Central and Southern Scott County AR-
Northern Polk County Higher Elevations AR-
111 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Scott and
northwestern Polk Counties through 200 AM CDT
...
At 111 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Mountain Fork, or 16 miles west of Mena, moving northeast at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size 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...
Mena... Waldron...
Beauchamp... Mountain Fork...
Oliver... Morgan Springs...
Queen Wilhelmina State Park... Bates...
Acorn... Black Fork...
Winfield... Potter...
Boles... Shady Grove...
Cauthron... Rocky...
Black Fork Mountain Wilderness... Hon...
Cedar Creek... Camp Pioneer...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3493 9445 3493 9443 3495 9441 3494 9439
3496 9437 3495 9434 3497 9423 3498 9403
3475 9383 3450 9446
TIME...MOT...LOC 0611Z 242DEG 38KT 3461 9452
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
62Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
118 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026
ARZ042-043-054-060645-
Hot Spring AR-Saline AR-Garland AR-
118 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Garland, central Saline and northern Hot Spring Counties through 145
AM CDT
...
At 118 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hot Springs, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size 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...
Hot Springs... Benton...
Bryant... Hot Springs Village...
Haskell... Lonsdale...
Salem in Saline County... Hot Springs National Park...
Bauxite... Avilla...
Nance... Congo...
Gulpha Gorge... Grape...
Crows... Bland...
Owensville...
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3458 9306 3476 9255 3469 9255 3469 9251
3451 9244 3446 9303
TIME...MOT...LOC 0618Z 252DEG 35KT 3453 9294
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
62Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
141 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026
ARZ043>045-055-056-060715-
Pulaski AR-Grant AR-Lonoke AR-Saline AR-Jefferson AR-
141 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Lonoke,
northeastern Grant, northwestern Jefferson, southeastern Saline and
southeastern Pulaski Counties through 215 AM CDT
...
At 141 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Benton, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size 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...
Little Rock... North Little Rock...
Benton... Bryant...
Downtown Little Rock... Southwest Little Rock...
Haskell... Shannon Hills...
Wrightsville... Argenta...
Redfield... Otter Creek...
Ironton... Estes...
East End... Plum Bayou Mounds SP...
Orion... Geyer Springs...
Mabelvale... Salem in Saline County...
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.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
&&
LAT...LON 3444 9200 3448 9274 3450 9274 3450 9276
3468 9270 3479 9208
TIME...MOT...LOC 0641Z 257DEG 42KT 3459 9257
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
62Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Little Rock AR
159 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026
ARZ140-141-237-238-240-241-340-341-060745-
Southwest Montgomery County Higher Elevations AR-
Yell Excluding Northwest AR-Polk County Lower Elevations AR-
Central and Southern Scott County AR-
Southeast Polk County Higher Elevations AR-
Northern Montgomery County Higher Elevations AR-
Northern Polk County Higher Elevations AR-
Central and Eastern Montgomery County AR-
159 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of southeastern Scott,
northeastern Polk, southwestern Yell and western Montgomery Counties
through 245 AM CDT
...
At 158 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 9 miles south of Waldron to Caney Creek
Wilderness. Movement was east at 65 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size 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...
Mount Ida... Norman...
Oden... Opal...
Mimosa... Little Missouri Falls Recreatio...
Mena Intermountain Airport... Shady...
Mauldin... Muddy Creek WMA...
Black Springs... Acorn...
Big Fork... Board Camp...
Ink... Pine Ridge...
Chula... Cedar Creek...
Nunley... Pencil Bluff...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3482 9357 3436 9359 3443 9421 3477 9420
TIME...MOT...LOC 0658Z 269DEG 55KT 3477 9406 3438 9409
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
70The Little Rock radar (KLZK), 19 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:13 UTC.
3 funnel cloud, 1 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree was blown down onto railroad tracks near the community of Sweet Home. A train happened to collide with the downed tree with no injuries reported, but the train was forced to stop and blocked Arkansas Highway 365 for several hours.
Quarter-sized hail fell in the city of Hot Springs.
A cold air funnel took place in the vicinity of the town of Bald Knob.
A cold air funnel occurred near the community of Russell.
A cold air funnel took place near the town of Augusta.
Water completely covered the intersection of 17th and Broadway in Downtown Little Rock deeming the intersection impassable.
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: 1342948, 1342947, 1342950, 1342951, 1342952, 1342949.