The National Weather Service in Little Rock issued a series of severe weather warnings and extreme heat alerts for several counties in the state on Sunday.
A severe weather warning has been issued for parts of central and western Arkansas, including Prairie, Lonoke, White, Perry, Conway, Faulkner, Pope and Pulaski counties.
Thunderstorms with wind gusts up to 60 mph and moderate-sized hail swept through areas near Prattsville, Sheridan, Hector, Barrettsville, Conway and other communities Sunday afternoon, the weather service said.
“Gusty winds could tear off tree limbs and blow unsecured objects around,” the weather service said. “Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.”
The severe thunderstorms, which have been moving southeast at speeds of 65 km/h since Sunday afternoon, could cause hail damage to vehicles and storm damage to roofs, facades and trees.
The severe weather warning is in effect for most counties in central Arkansas until 5:45 p.m. Sunday, while the watch is in effect for central, southeast and southwest Arkansas until 10 p.m.
“If you are outdoors, seek shelter inside a building,” the weather service said. “Cloud-to-ground lightning is common during this storm.”
There is a slight risk of severe weather across much of the state through 7 a.m. Monday, according to the weather service’s severe weather forecast issued Sunday.
The weather service defines a low risk as an area with organized, severe storms that do not occur over a large area and have varying levels of intensity.
The weather service also issued an extreme heat warning on Sunday that will remain in effect for parts of central, eastern, southeastern, southwestern and western Arkansas until 8 p.m.
The weather service said heat index values of up to 46 degrees were expected.
“The chance of storms may persist into Sunday night, but the serious threat should then diminish by early Monday morning,” the weather service said in its forecast.
There could be isolated thunderstorms in the western half of Arkansas on Monday, but severe weather is unlikely, the weather service said on Sunday.
