JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Tornadoes, damaging winds, and flooding are all possible Friday as an approaching cold front moves into Northeast Arkansas.

“We will see waves of showers develop and move across Region 8 today,” Meteorologist Aaron Castleberry said Friday morning. “The flooding risk will continue to increase as more storms develop along the front and move from the southwest to the northeast.”

Heavy rain and severe storms are both part of today's forecast. I'll have the details until 7AM on Good Morning Region 8! #ARWX #MOWX pic.twitter.com/rvRZ27tGBW
— Aaron Castleberry (@WXAaronJC) March 24, 2023

Castleberry said as much as 1-3 inches of rain could fall, with some places seeing higher amounts.

“We have generally picked up a half-inch of rain already, with some areas approaching one inch,” he said. “With more rain building in to our southwest, we will probably add to that quickly.”

“An already saturated ground will increase the threat for flash flooding,” Castleberry said. “The Weather Prediction Center has put out a high risk for flooding rain for much of Region 8.”

He urges those in flood-prone areas to keep an eye on the weather.

“Don’t let your guard down,” Castleberry warned.

A flood watch is already in effect for the northern half of the area.

A flood watch is already in effect for the northern half of the area. — A flood watch is already in effect for the northern half of the area.(KAIT-TV)

The severe threat will ramp up Friday afternoon.

“As the front gets a push to the east, and the trough digs in, the wind energy will increase, and instability will increase,” Castleberry said. “With the amount of wind energy that will be associated with the system, damaging winds will be the main threat.”

However, he cannot rule out a spin-up tornado along the the squall line.

“We are still looking at the time frame between 3 and 10 p.m.,” he said. “But I think most of the storms are across the [Mississippi] river by 9 p.m.”

“All modes of severe weather will be possible with damaging winds being the main threat, but... — “All modes of severe weather will be possible with damaging winds being the main threat, but tornadoes and large hail will also be possible,” Meteorologist Aaron Castleberry said.(KAIT-TV)

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