https://arkansasweatherwatchers.org/awi

The Arkansas Weather Initiative, 425 West Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, AR (2026)

03/17/2026

📡 How Weather Warnings Are Issued

Severe weather warnings don’t come from just one source.
Meteorologists use multiple tools and real-time information to determine when dangerous storms threaten communities.

Every warning issued by the National Weather Service is based on a combination of data sources that help forecasters understand what a storm is doing.

📡 Radar

Weather radar allows meteorologists to see storms developing in real time.

Radar helps identify:

• Heavy rain
• Large hail
• Damaging wind potential
• Rotation inside thunderstorms

Radar is often the first indicator that a storm is becoming severe.

🌪️ Storm Spotters

Trained storm spotters provide ground truth observations during severe weather.

Spotters report things radar cannot always confirm, including:

• Tornado sightings
• Large hail sizes
• Wind damage
• Flash flooding

These reports help meteorologists confirm what storms are actually producing.

📝 Storm Reports

Storm reports are collected from:

• Storm spotters
• Emergency management
• Law enforcement
• Media
• The public

These reports help meteorologists verify warnings and improve forecasting in the future.

📷 Weather Cameras

Real-time weather cameras provide visual confirmation of storms as they move across communities.

Camera networks help:

• Monitor storm development
• Verify severe weather reports
• Track flooding and winter weather
• Improve situational awareness for emergency managers

⚠️ Every warning is issued to protect lives.

By combining radar, storm spotters, reports, and weather cameras, meteorologists can quickly identify dangerous storms and alert communities in time to take shelter.

03/14/2026

📍 Saturday Spotlight – Hamburg, Arkansas (Ashley County)

Today’s Arkansas Weather Initiative Saturday Spotlight takes us to Hamburg in Ashley County, where this community camera provides a live look at conditions across southeast Arkansas.

Our AWW community weather cameras help residents, emergency managers, and weather watchers monitor real-time conditions across the state. Whether it’s tracking approaching storms, watching changing skies, or simply checking local conditions, these cameras play an important role in improving situational awareness and public safety.

This camera overlooks downtown Hamburg, offering a clear view of the community and surrounding sky conditions — a valuable tool during severe weather season when every minute of awareness matters.

A special thank you to Rice Roofing & Construction for supporting this location and helping make expanded weather coverage possible.

🎥 Cameras like this are part of the growing Arkansas Weather Watchers Statewide Weather Camera Network, working to bring real-time weather visibility to communities across Arkansas.

👉 You can view this camera and others anytime on our website and during Natural State Weather Live broadcasts 24/7.

03/13/2026

🌩️ Arkansas Weather Explained: What a Supercell Looks Like

Not all thunderstorms are the same.

Some of the most dangerous storms in Arkansas are supercells — powerful thunderstorms with a deep rotating updraft capable of producing large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes.

Understanding the structure of these storms helps meteorologists identify when a storm may become dangerous.

Key Parts of a Supercell

Updraft
A powerful column of rising air that feeds the storm and allows it to grow taller and stronger.

Mesocyclone
A rotating area within the storm created by wind shear. This rotation is what can eventually lead to tornado development.

Hail Core
The area of the storm where strong updrafts keep hailstones suspended long enough to grow larger before falling to the ground.

📡 What a Supercell Looks Like on Radar

Meteorologists don’t see tornadoes directly on radar, but they can detect storm structure and rotation.

On radar, a supercell often shows:

Heavy precipitation and hail
Shown as the brightest reflectivity colors.

Rotation
A tightening circulation within the storm that can signal tornado potential.

When strong rotation is detected, the National Weather Service may issue a Tornado Warning to protect people in the storm’s path.

Supercells are responsible for many of the most significant severe weather events in Arkansas, especially during the spring severe weather season.

Understanding how these storms work helps everyone stay more weather aware and better prepared.

03/12/2026

🏫 Severe Weather Safety: Know Your School Safety Plan

Severe weather can develop quickly across Arkansas, and when it happens during the school day, having a clear safety plan is essential to protecting students and staff.

Schools across the state regularly practice severe weather drills so that everyone knows where to go and what to do when dangerous storms approach.

Understanding these procedures helps ensure that students respond quickly and safely during severe weather.

🌪️ During Severe Weather

When a warning is issued, students and staff will move to designated safe areas inside the building.

These locations are typically:

• Interior hallways
• Rooms away from windows
• Reinforced sections of the building

Students should always:

• Stay away from windows and exterior walls
• Avoid portable or temporary classrooms
• Follow instructions from teachers and staff
• Move quickly and calmly to their assigned safe area

📋 Be Prepared

Preparation is one of the most important parts of severe weather safety.

Students should:

• Know their school's designated shelter areas
• Take severe weather drills seriously
• Remain calm and quiet during safety procedures
• Stay in the safe location until the all-clear is given

These drills help ensure that students and staff can respond quickly when severe weather threatens.

🛟 Why School Safety Plans Matter

Severe weather plans help schools:

• Protect students and staff
• Respond quickly during emergencies
• Reduce confusion during dangerous situations

Preparation and awareness are key to keeping everyone safe.

Stay weather aware and always follow guidance from school officials during severe weather events.

03/11/2026

🌪️ Severe Weather Awareness: Dangerous Weather Myths

When severe weather threatens Arkansas, misinformation can be just as dangerous as the storm itself.

Over the years, several weather myths have spread that can put people at serious risk. Understanding the facts can help keep you and your family safe when severe weather strikes.

❌ Myth #1: Opening Windows During a Tornado Reduces Pressure

Fact: Opening windows does nothing to reduce pressure inside your home and wastes valuable time. Tornado damage is caused by extreme winds and flying debris, not pressure differences.

Instead of opening windows, seek shelter immediately in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.

❌ Myth #2: Highway Overpasses Are Safe Tornado Shelters

Fact: Overpasses can actually make the situation more dangerous. Winds can accelerate through the structure and turn the overpass into a wind tunnel, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

If you are in a vehicle and cannot reach a building, seek a low ditch away from vehicles and cover your head.

❌ Myth #3: Tornadoes Avoid Cities

Fact: Tornadoes can strike anywhere, including large cities. Urban areas across the United States—including parts of Arkansas—have experienced damaging tornadoes.

Population density simply makes tornado impacts more noticeable, but cities are not protected.

❌ Myth #4: Outdoor Warning Sirens Are Meant to Be Heard Indoors

Fact: Sirens are designed to warn people who are outdoors. They are not meant to wake people up inside homes.

This is why it is important to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, including:

📱 Wireless Emergency Alerts
📲 Weather apps with notifications enabled
📻 NOAA Weather Radio

⚠️ The Bottom Line

The best defense against severe weather is accurate information and preparation.

Understanding the facts about severe weather safety can help ensure you respond quickly and correctly when warnings are issued.

Stay weather aware and have a safety plan in place.

03/11/2026

Arkansas Weather Watchers is keeping their eye out for overnight severe weather. Tornadoes are also possible. Here is a little education regarding overnight tornadoes in Arkansas!

03/09/2026

⚠️ Severe Weather Awareness Week: Stay Informed & Know What To Do After the Storm

Severe weather can impact Arkansas communities quickly. While preparation before storms is critical, knowing how to receive warnings and what to do after a storm passes is just as important.

Two of the most important safety principles are:

📡 Receive warnings quickly
🚨 Respond safely after storms pass

📡 Stay Informed During Severe Weather

Receiving warnings quickly can give you the extra minutes needed to protect yourself and your family.

There are several reliable ways to receive severe weather alerts:

📱 Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

These alerts are sent automatically to most smartphones.

• No app required
• Issued for Tornado Warnings and Flash Flood Warnings
• Designed to reach people in life-threatening situations

📲 Weather Apps

Weather apps can provide additional real-time information.

• Enable push notifications
• Follow trusted local weather sources
• Monitor radar and warnings during severe weather

📻 NOAA Weather Radio

A NOAA Weather Radio is one of the most reliable warning tools available.

• Provides official National Weather Service alerts
• Works 24/7
• Especially critical overnight when many people are asleep
• Battery backup recommended in case of power outages

⚠️ The key is using multiple alert methods.
No single warning system is perfect — having backups helps ensure you receive alerts when seconds matter.

🌪️ After the Storm: What To Do Next

Once severe weather has passed, hazards may still remain. Damage, debris, and downed power lines can pose serious risks.

Immediate Actions

• Check on family members, neighbors, and vulnerable individuals
• Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies
• Avoid downed power lines — assume they are live
• Stay clear of damaged buildings or unstable structures

Report & Document Damage

• Report power outages to your utility provider
• Take photos to document property damage
• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible

Stay Informed

• Follow guidance from local officials
• Monitor emergency updates
• Avoid entering restricted or disaster-affected areas

Emergency responders and crews may still be working to restore services and secure dangerous areas.

🛟 The Bottom Line

Severe weather safety doesn’t end when the storm moves away.

Being prepared means:

📡 Receiving warnings early
🏠 Taking protective action during storms
🚨 Responding safely after the storm

Staying informed and following official guidance helps keep you, your family, and your community safe.

03/07/2026

🌩️ Severe Weather Awareness Week: Storm Reports Save Lives

When severe weather strikes, accurate information in real time can make the difference between safety and disaster.

That’s why storm reports and real-time observation tools are critical parts of the severe weather warning system.

Meteorologists rely on ground truth reports to confirm what storms are actually producing.

📡 What Are Storm Reports?

Storm reports are real-time observations of severe weather impacts such as:

• Tornadoes
• Large hail
• Damaging winds
• Flash flooding
• Winter weather impacts

These reports are collected from:

• Trained storm spotters
• Emergency management officials
• Law enforcement
• Media partners
• The public

Once verified, these reports are used by meteorologists to confirm warnings and understand what storms are producing.

⚡ Why Storm Reports Matter

Storm reports serve several critical purposes during severe weather:

Warning Verification
Reports confirm whether warnings issued by the National Weather Service were justified and accurate.

Real-Time Decision Support
Radar can show storm structure, but reports help forecasters determine what hazards are actually reaching the ground.

Improving Future Warnings
After events, reports are compiled into official publications like Storm Data, helping meteorologists refine forecasting and warning strategies.

🎥 The Role of the Arkansas Statewide Weather Camera Network

Technology is also helping fill observation gaps.

The Arkansas Statewide Weather Camera Network provides live visual confirmation of weather conditions across communities.

These cameras help:

• Verify severe storms in real time
• Monitor flash flooding and heavy rain
• Track winter weather impacts
• Provide situational awareness for emergency managers
• Support public livestream coverage during severe events

Together with storm reports, this network provides a clearer picture of what storms are doing on the ground.

🛟 Why This Matters for Public Safety

Better observations lead to better warnings.

When meteorologists receive reliable storm reports and visual confirmation, they can:

• Issue more accurate warnings
• Update alerts more quickly
• Communicate hazards more clearly
• Improve life-saving decisions for communities

These tools ultimately help protect lives, property, and communities across Arkansas.

📢 Bottom Line

Severe weather warnings are not based on radar alone.

They depend on real-world observations from people and technology working together.

Storm reports and camera networks provide the ground truth that helps meteorologists protect the public.

03/06/2026

⚠️ Severe Weather Awareness Week: DAY 5: Watches vs Warnings

With severe weather in the forecast from Arkansas Weather Watchers this is a perfect day to review the watches and warnings category to understand them better!

One of the most important parts of severe weather safety is understanding the difference between a watch and a warning.

These alerts are issued by the National Weather Service to help communities prepare for and respond to dangerous weather conditions.

Knowing the difference can help you make faster and safer decisions when storms develop.

🟡 What is a WATCH?

A watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop.

Storms may form that could produce hazards such as:

• Damaging winds
• Large hail
• Tornadoes
• Flash flooding

A watch usually covers a large area for several hours and is issued before storms develop.

During a Watch:

• Stay weather aware
• Monitor forecasts and updates
• Review your safety plan
• Be ready to act quickly if warnings are issued

Think of a watch as "Be Prepared."

🔴 What is a WARNING?

A warning means dangerous weather is occurring or about to occur.

Warnings are issued when:

• A storm is detected by weather radar, or
• Severe weather has been reported by trained spotters

Warnings cover smaller areas and typically last 30–60 minutes.

During a Warning:

• Take immediate protective action
• Move indoors to a safe location
• Stay away from windows
• Protect yourself from flying debris

Think of a warning as "Take Action Now."

⛈ Types of Severe Weather Warnings

Several different warnings may be issued during severe weather events:

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Issued when storms are producing damaging winds or large hail.

Tornado Warning
Issued when a tornado is detected or indicated by radar.

Flash Flood Warning
Issued when rapid flooding is occurring or about to occur.

Each warning requires immediate attention and action.

📢 Bottom Line

A simple way to remember the difference:

🟡 WATCH = Be Prepared
🔴 WARNING = Take Action

Understanding these alerts helps you react quickly and keep your family safe when severe weather threatens.

👇 Help spread awareness by sharing this information with friends and family.

03/05/2026

⛈ Severe Weather Awareness Week: Day 4: Severe Thunderstorms

This week in Arkansas has been designated severe weather awareness week and in coordination with our broadcast arm Arkansas Weather Watchers and the US National Weather Service Little Rock Arkansas a new topic is discussed each day. Today is Severe Thunderstorms

Not every dangerous storm produces a tornado.

In fact, severe thunderstorms are responsible for some of the most widespread storm damage across Arkansas every year.

These storms can produce destructive straight-line winds, large hail, and dangerous lightning that can impact communities in minutes.

💨 Damaging Straight-Line Winds

Severe thunderstorms are capable of producing wind gusts of 60 mph or greater, and sometimes much stronger.

These winds can be as damaging as weak tornadoes.

Damaging wind gusts can:

• Knock down trees and power lines
• Cause structural damage to homes and buildings
• Create dangerous flying debris
• Lead to widespread power outages

In many cases, wind damage from severe thunderstorms impacts a larger area than tornadoes.

🧊 Large Hail

Strong thunderstorm updrafts can produce large hailstones, sometimes reaching the size of golf balls, baseballs, or larger.

Large hail can:

• Damage roofs, siding, and windows
• Dent and break vehicle windshields
• Injure people and livestock
• Destroy crops and vegetation

When hailstones reach 2 inches in diameter or larger, damage potential increases significantly.

⚡ Lightning: A Hidden Danger

Every severe thunderstorm produces lightning.

Lightning can:

• Strike miles away from the storm core
• Cause injuries or fatalities
• Start fires
• Damage electrical systems

If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

🏠 Severe Thunderstorm Safety

When a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued:

✔ Move indoors immediately
✔ Stay away from windows
✔ Avoid using electrical appliances
✔ Bring pets and outdoor items inside
✔ Move vehicles into garages if possible to protect from hail

⚠️ Remember:
Severe thunderstorms can develop quickly and produce life-threatening conditions even without a tornado.

Always take Severe Thunderstorm Warnings seriously.

👇 Help spread awareness and preparedness across Arkansas by sharing this post.

03/04/2026

🌪 Arkansas Severe Weather Awareness Week: Tornadoes

Arkansas averages nearly 40 tornadoes every year.
Many of them happen during the spring months — and some occur after dark.

As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, today’s focus is on tornado safety and awareness.

🌩 Why Arkansas Gets Tornadoes

Arkansas sits in “Dixie Alley,” where the atmosphere often brings together the perfect ingredients for severe storms.

• Cold air pushing south from the Plains
• Warm, humid air surging north from the Gulf of Mexico
• The jet stream positioned over the region

When these ingredients collide, rotating supercell thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes can develop quickly.

Peak tornado season in Arkansas runs March through May.

🌙 Why Night Tornadoes Are So Dangerous

Arkansas has a higher risk of nighttime tornadoes compared to many other parts of the country.

This happens because:

• A low-level jet strengthens overnight, feeding storms
• Warm Gulf moisture continues fueling thunderstorms
• Tornadoes are much harder to see after dark

Unfortunately, many people are asleep when warnings are issued, which increases the danger.

⚠️ Know Your Risk

Nighttime tornadoes are especially dangerous because:

• Visibility is extremely limited
• Many residents are asleep
• Storms may move quickly
• Outdoor sirens may not wake you

📡 How to Be Prepared

Everyone should have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings, especially overnight.

✔ Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone
✔ NOAA Weather Radio
✔ Local weather apps or TV alerts
✔ A family severe weather safety plan

These tools can provide the critical minutes needed to reach shelter.

🌪 Tornado Strength

Tornadoes are rated using the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, which estimates wind speeds based on damage:

EF-0 → Light damage
EF-1 → Moderate damage
EF-2 → Considerable damage
EF-3 → Severe damage
EF-4 → Devastating damage
EF-5 → Incredible damage

Higher EF ratings mean stronger winds and more destructive impacts.

📊 Arkansas Tornado History

Arkansas has recorded over 2,500 tornadoes since 1950, averaging roughly 37 tornadoes per year.

Several historic outbreaks have impacted the state, reinforcing why preparedness is critical during severe weather season.

🏠 After the Storm

If your community is impacted:

• Check on neighbors and family members
• Avoid downed power lines
• Document property damage with photos
• Follow guidance from local officials

⚠️ Tornadoes can develop quickly in Arkansas — especially in spring and sometimes overnight.

Being prepared ahead of time can save lives.

👇 Help spread awareness:
Share this post so more Arkansans know the risks and how to stay safe during tornado season.

03/03/2026

🌩 Severe Weather Awareness Week | Arkansas
DAY 2 Understanding Storm Outlooks and NEW 2026 changes

In coordination with our broadcast arm Arkansas Weather Watchers as well as US National Weather Service Little Rock Arkansas this week is Severe Weather Awareness week in Arkansas. Each week a new topic will be discussed, today we talk about the severe weather risks and the changes this year.

Understanding severe weather risk is one of the most important steps in staying prepared.

The Storm Prediction Center uses five categories to communicate the potential for severe thunderstorms:

🟢 Level 1 – Marginal
Isolated severe storms possible. Limited coverage and/or duration.

🟡 Level 2 – Slight
Scattered severe storms possible. Not widespread, but capable of impact.

🟠 Level 3 – Enhanced
Numerous severe storms possible. Greater coverage and intensity.

🔴 Level 4 – Moderate
Widespread severe storms likely. Several long-lived and/or intense storms expected.

🟣 Level 5 – High
A significant severe weather outbreak is expected. Widespread, destructive storms possible.

At Arkansas Weather Watchers, we align these with our Level 1–5 scale to simplify communication and increase clarity during active weather.

🔎 What Changed in 2026?

The risk categories (Marginal through High) did NOT change.

What changed is how intensity inside those categories is highlighted.

The updated outlooks now better emphasize damage potential tiers:

• Low-End Severe (No Hatch)
• Significant (1-Hatch)
• Intense (2-Hatch)
• Extreme (3-Hatch)

This refinement improves how tornado, wind, and hail threats are communicated — helping you understand not just the color on the map, but the potential impact.

Bottom Line:

Risk categories stayed the same.
Communication of intensity improved.

As the level increases, preparation should increase.

Stay weather aware. Stay prepared. Arkansas severe weather season is here.

The Arkansas Weather Initiative

03/17/2026

03/14/2026

03/13/2026

03/12/2026

03/11/2026

03/11/2026

03/09/2026

03/07/2026

03/06/2026

03/05/2026

03/04/2026

03/03/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category