Friday, April 4 forecast: Severe weather and flood risk today
The tornado count near our area from Wednesday is now up to three. The first tornado occurred Wednesday morning in rural Bates County and has been recorded as an EF-Unkown thanks to limited access to the area. EF-1s have been confirmed in Nevada in Vernon County and near South Fork in Howell County.
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Parts of Arkansas have already measured over 3″ of rain since Wednesday and Heavier rain of 2-3″ has also been measured across West-Central Missouri. Another wave of heavy rain and thunderstorms can be expected again today.
Flooding will be a problem from today into the weekend. Prepare now and see what to do in a flood.
For most areas, this will be a 'slow burn' as rounds of rainfall gradually lead to increases in creek and river levels through Saturday. There will also be a risk for flash flooding, particularly Friday afternoon into Saturday as waves of storms 'train' across Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri.
The heaviest rain today will be found mainly along and south of I-44, but everyone will get rain today. There is a risk for small hail and lightning with storms this morning and a chance for severe thunderstorms this afternoon.
The risk for severe storms shouldn't creep too far into Missouri as rain and storms during the day will help resist unstable air flowing northward out of Arkansas. Still, areas south of Highway 60 should be weather-aware Friday afternoon with all modes of severe weather possible, including tornadoes.
Friday's wave of rain and thunderstorms will taper off late Friday night with another wave of rain and thunderstorms expected Saturday. No severe weather (outside of some hail to the southeast) is anticipated. But, flooding will remain a concern.
We turn colder Saturday night and will likely see rain mix with snow showers into Sunday morning. No travel impacts are expected, and the rain/snow will come to an end early in the day, followed by gradual clearing.
The clearing skies and chilly air mass will leave us open to freezing temperatures Monday morning. Another chilly air mass will slip into the area Tuesday morning resulting in a risk of more freezing temperatures. The chillier pattern will at least offer some respite from the current stormy spell of weather.
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