SPECIAL WEATHER REPORT

Arkansas Weather Nov. 2–3

Strong Storms Could Bring Damaging Winds

HOT SPRINGS, AR — Billy Chronicle has interrupted regularly scheduled weather programming with an important announcement:

Arkansas is about to get punched in the face by a weather system.

The National Weather Service says a strong storm system will move across Arkansas beginning Monday, bringing widespread rain and thunderstorms through Tuesday. Some storms could become strong to severe, with damaging wind gusts identified as the primary threat. (National Weather Service⁠) And because Arkansas apparently couldn’t simply have a normal Tuesday, the system is expected to bring very good chances for an inch or more of rainfall in parts of the state. (Weather.gov⁠)

🌧️ MONDAY — NOV. 2

Hot Springs will spend much of Monday under cloudy, humid skies with showers becoming increasingly likely. By Monday night, things could get considerably more interesting. Current forecasts call for thunderstorms to develop overnight, with winds already becoming breezy. (Weather Underground⁠)

Billy’s official assessment:

“If your patio furniture has ever wondered whether it could fly, tonight may answer that question.”

⛈️ TUESDAY — NOV. 3

This is the day to watch.

The storm system will be crossing Arkansas, producing widespread showers and thunderstorms. NWS says some thunderstorms could become strong to severe, with gusty winds being the main concern. (National Weather Service⁠) For Hot Springs, forecasts are calling for thunderstorms and potentially around an inch of rain or more from the event.

There is also a marginal severe-weather risk for the Hot Springs area in the current SPC outlook, although that does not mean severe weather is guaranteed at any particular location. (My Severe Weather Outlook⁠)

💨 WHAT SHOULD HOT SPRINGS WATCH FOR?

PRIMARY THREAT:

💨 Damaging straight-line wind gusts

ALSO POSSIBLE:

⛈️ Strong thunderstorms

🌧️ Heavy rainfall

🌪️ An isolated tornado cannot be completely ruled out

⚡ Frequent lightning

The strongest storms won’t necessarily affect everyone, but the potential is significant enough that this isn’t a day to ignore the forecast.

🐐 BILLY CHRONICLE’S PRE-STORM CHECKLIST

Before the weather gets dramatic:

• Bring in the patio furniture.

• Secure Halloween decorations that haven’t already been claimed by the wind.

• Charge your phones.

• Make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.

• Keep an eye on the forecast Tuesday.

• If a warning is issued, take it seriously.

Billy would also like to remind everyone that a plastic pumpkin weighing six ounces is not an acceptable storm shelter.

🌤️ THE GOOD NEWS

The storm system won’t be moving in permanently. Once it pushes through, cooler and drier weather is expected to return, bringing a much more traditional November feel to Spa City.

So enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.

Because Tuesday appears to have been personally offended by it.