Severe Storms, Heavy Rain, and Snow All Possible.

Our peaceful weather is about to come to an end late this week as a significant storm system will move across Arkansas. You don't come out of a mild pattern in January without fireworks from Mother Nature.

This COULD turn out to be a system which delivers BOTH severe weather and winter weather. Chief Meteorologist Barry Brandt and I were discussing this just last week. It has been a long time since we have seen a dynamic system delivering both.

The chance for this 1st round of rough weather has been discussed extensively here on the blog and on Channel 7 since last week. Following this storm, there will be ANOTHER one later the following week. How much cold air will be available for that? Wayyyyy too early to know at this time.

Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Since we are still several days away from the late week storm, I expect more fluctuations on timing, threats, and the location of those threats. What can you do right now? Not much. Should you worry about this? NO! The best thing to do is keep checking back for the newest information and DOWNLOAD THE KATV WEATHER APP! You'll have access to radar, our forecasts, and notifications for watches/warnings specific to your location.

While we can't pinpoint the exact timing this early, there is at least some severe weather and flooding threat into the overnight hours Friday into Saturday. You'll need a way to receive warnings while you sleep.

One more point about flooding. It doesn't take as much heavy rain this time of year to cause issues since vegetation is dormant. There will be more runoff compared to other times of the year.

Cold west and warm east! The storm track will be over or close to Arkansas. The state will be in the warm sector which favors heavy rain and storms. However, once the low passes by, it may draw in enough cold air for light snow over northern Arkansas before ending.

While certain to change, the greatest severe weather risk is late Friday into early Saturday for much of the state. South and central Arkansas may have a slightly higher threat.

The Euro has 2-4'' of rain with isolated higher amounts starting Thursday into Saturday. The bulk of this would likely fall Friday into early Saturday

The GFS also shows the threat for substantial rain amonts

Once the heavy rain and severe thunderstorms shift east Saturday afternoon, there COULD be enough moisture thrown back into the colder air for snow across northern Arkansas.