Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Little Rock, AR
Issued by NWS Little Rock, AR
Versions:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
053 FXUS64 KLZK 171140 AFDLZK Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Little Rock AR 540 AM CST Mon Nov 17 2025 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Issued at 155 AM CST Mon Nov 17 2025 -Well above normal temperatures persisting through most of this week, with another warming trend towards record levels again on Tuesday and Wednesday -Light rain accumulations anticipated today across mainly central to northern Arkansas -Showers and thunderstorms towards the latter portions of the week will result in mostly beneficial rains across the state, but cannot rule out some flash flood potential && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 155 AM CST Mon Nov 17 2025 Persistent mid to upper level ridging is weakening across the central U.S. as an ejecting shortwave downstream of the anomalous Pacific trough is beginning to take form across the Plains. This is resulting in enhanced southerly flow in the lower levels of the atmosphere, as a warm frontal band ushers in a more moist airmass. IR satellite is depicting a pretty expansive area of mid-level clouds developing across the Natural State and should persist and push further north going through the day. Some light showers may accompany this area today, prior to a mostly dry cold frontal passage later this evening and into tonight. Most areas will likely not see any accumulations, but central to northern Arkansas are the favored areas for accumulating rains today through tonight where NBM PoP`s are maxing out around 30-40%. Post-frontal passage will bring more dry conditions again going into the middle of the week as mid-level ridging amplifies downstream of another deepening Pacific trough across the southwestern U.S. Temperatures will warm quickly back into the 70s and lower 80s for highs again across the state Tuesday and Wednesday. Record high temperatures will be in play both days depending on the climate site and regional cloud cover, as records for this time of year run in the low to mid-80s. As this Pacific trough slowly migrates eastward through the middle of the week, a more energetic shortwave will eject east of the Rockies during the latter portions of this week. This will aid in the surface low developing across the Plains Wednesday into Thursday. The initial warm frontal passage across the area will bring increasing rain chances starting Wednesday night into Thursday, with the main cold frontal passage late Thursday into Friday. Thus, the timing trend continues to slow relative to the last several forecast cycles, which is lessening overall storm total precipitation amounts and lowering the flash flood potential during this period. The latest NBM projections seem to be indicating this is the case, as the 50th percentile storm total rainfall Wednesday-Friday is widespread 1-2", but higher amounts only in the 3-4" range favoring western Arkansas. Thus, due to the continued downward trend in total rainfall amounts, expect more of a beneficial rainfall event mid to late week, with only areas that receive multiple heavy thunderstorms/downpours in a short period to pose any flash flood threat. Once the rainfall clears the area going into this weekend, another amplifying ridge seems favored as another Pacific trough deepens across the West Coast. There remains some modest uncertainty on how progressive this trough will be moving into and through the weekend, but should the cutoff scenario come to fruition, expect building high pressure and dry conditions through at least this weekend. Whenever the Pacific trough ejects eastward, we can expect another round of rain, but that might not be well into next week as current projections suggests at this point. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 535 AM CST Mon Nov 17 2025 Isolated to scattered showers have developed across central to southern Arkansas, with anticipation that coverage will increase throughout the morning and spread further north. Thus, multiple terminals may see some minor brief impacts with any passing shower, but the main aviation impacts through the period will be the potential for some MVFR ceilings now through the afternoon. Some improvement in ceilings are anticipated later this afternoon and into the evening. However, late in the period, there is potential for some MVFR or lower ceilings as the main frontal boundary approaches from the northwest, so will have to monitor trends regarding those potential impacts. Otherwise, winds will be out of the easterly direction, with some occasional afternoon gusts 15-20 kts. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Batesville AR 64 57 81 56 / 40 30 10 10 Camden AR 78 63 80 61 / 20 10 0 0 Harrison AR 64 55 79 52 / 30 40 0 0 Hot Springs AR 73 64 79 62 / 40 10 10 0 Little Rock AR 70 63 79 62 / 40 10 10 0 Monticello AR 79 64 82 64 / 20 10 0 10 Mount Ida AR 75 65 81 62 / 30 20 10 10 Mountain Home AR 62 54 80 50 / 30 40 0 0 Newport AR 66 59 80 58 / 40 30 10 10 Pine Bluff AR 75 63 80 62 / 30 10 10 10 Russellville AR 68 60 82 58 / 40 30 10 0 Searcy AR 67 58 79 58 / 40 20 10 10 Stuttgart AR 71 63 79 62 / 30 10 10 10 && .LZK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION...77 AVIATION...77