Little Rock, Arkansas – Unrelenting heat will grip Arkansas again Thursday before severe thunderstorms threaten Friday evening, with risks of hail and damaging winds. Residents in Little Rock and across the I-30 corridor should prepare now for rapidly changing conditions into the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, temperatures Thursday will soar into the low to mid-90s. Heat index values could exceed 99°F by late afternoon. South winds up to 15 mph, with gusts near 20 mph, will bring little relief. Friday marks a major shift as a cold front pushes through, triggering strong storms from central to northeast Arkansas late in the day.
By Friday afternoon and evening, storms may intensify quickly—especially across Pulaski, Faulkner, and White counties—bringing threats of large hail and damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph. The risk of severe weather is highest after 3 p.m. Friday. Stay weather-aware if commuting on I-40, I-30, or U.S. 67/167 during that window…