Monthly Storm Reports and Storm Data
Storm Reports
Are you interested in what happened during a recent event? Check out the report below.
 
The Pattern on November 3-13, 2012
 
A cold front pushed through Arkansas from the north on 11/03/2012.
November started with above normal temperatures on the 2nd. High temperatures ranged from 70 degrees at Jonesboro (Craighead County) to 87 degrees at De Queen (Sevier County). Readings were closer to seasonal after a cold front passed through Arkansas on the 3rd.
In the picture: A cold front pushed through Arkansas from the north on 11/03/2012.

 

Not much happened along the front until it got into the southern half of the state. Across the southern counties, showers and isolated thunderstorms brought a quarter to three quarters of an inch of rain, with local amounts over an inch. One storm produced quarter to ping pong ball size hail at Haskell (Saline County), and there was nickel size hail near Brinkley (Monroe County).

By the 5th, highs were mostly in the 50s and 60s. Looking aloft, temperatures tumbled as low pressure dove into the area from the northwest. At 18,000 feet, readings over Little Rock (Pulaski County) went from -4 degrees F at 600 am CST to -13 degrees F at 600 pm CST.  

 

As readings dropped overhead, the atmosphere destabized in the afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms popped up, with moisture driven into the cold air. This made it easy for hail to form. Up to ping pong ball size hail pelted Bismarck (Hot Spring County). There were several reports of pea to penny size hail.
Low pressure at 500 mb (18,000 feet) and very cold air (-20C to -24C) aloft moved over Arkansas on 11/05/2012.
In the picture: Low pressure at 500 mb (18,000 feet) and very cold air (-20C to -24C) aloft moved over Arkansas on 11/05/2012.

 

The next cold front did not arrive until the 11th. Preceding the front, a warming trend resulted in afternoon temperatures in the 70s by the 10th.

 

The WSR-88D (Doppler Weather Radar) showed widespread rain and isolated thunderstorms building into Arkansas from the Plains on 11/11/2012.
As the front approached, rain became widespread across the region. There were a few thunderstorms as well.
In the picture: The WSR-88D (Doppler Weather Radar) showed widespread rain and isolated thunderstorms building into Arkansas from the Plains on 11/11/2012. Precipitation was along a cold front, with much colder and windy conditions to follow.

 

Rainfall ranged from three quarters of an inch to an inch and a half, with locally over two inches. Twenty four hour amounts through 600 am CST on the 12th included 2.45 inches at West Memphis (Crittenden County), 1.76 inches at Jonesboro (Craighead County), 1.30 inches at Little Rock (Pulaski County) and 1.19 inches at Hot Springs (Garland County). Twenty four hour rainfall through 600 am CST on 11/12/2012.
In the picture: Twenty four hour rainfall through 600 am CST on 11/12/2012.

 

During this latest event, lightning struck a church in Little Rock (Pulaski County) during the afternoon of the 11th. A chimney and a corner of the bell tower were knocked apart. Falling bricks and mortar punched several holes in the tile roof

 

Low temperatures on 11/13/2012. Much colder air followed the front. There was a freeze in much of Arkansas by the morning of the 13th. This officially ended the growing season.
In the picture: Low temperatures on 11/13/2012.

 

Storm Reports
There were several reports of hail (some over quarter size) on November 3rd and 5th, and lightning on the 11th. All reports were in the central third of the state. For a look at some reports, click here.
 
Link of Interest
Plot Reports
Preliminary reports of hail and lightning in the Little Rock County Warning Area on November 3-11, 2012 (in red).
Submit a storm report.
In the picture: Preliminary reports of hail and lightning in the Little Rock County Warning Area on November 3-11, 2012 (in red).
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