Arkansas Tornado & Hail Guide

Arkansas averages approximately 39 tornadoes per year and is firmly within the “Dixie Alley” — the southeastern extension of tornado risk that includes Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. Dixie Alley tornadoes are particularly dangerous because they frequently occur at night and in heavily wooded terrain, limiting both advance warning and visibility.

Arkansas Tornado Season

Unlike the central plains states, Arkansas has two distinct tornado seasons: a primary spring season from March through May and a significant secondary season from October through December. December tornadoes are possible in Arkansas due to the continued clash of Gulf moisture with Canadian air masses. Central and eastern Arkansas — including the Little Rock metro area and the Arkansas Delta — see the most frequent tornado activity.

Arkansas Hail Season

Significant hail occurs in Arkansas from February through June, with the spring severe weather season being the primary hail risk period. Central and northern Arkansas, including the Ozarks, see the most frequent hail events. Large hail is less common in southeastern Arkansas due to the proximity to warmer air masses.

Historical Significant Events

• 1952 Judsonia/Arkansas River Valley tornado (F5): Over 100 fatalities across Arkansas and Missouri.
• 1997 Arkadelphia tornado (F3): 25 fatalities in Clark County; one of Arkansas’s deadliest modern tornado events.
• 2014 Mayflower–Vilonia EF4: 16 fatalities on April 27; struck the Little Rock suburbs.
• 2024 Little Rock EF3: Struck the Little Rock area in March 2023 (FIXME: verify date before publishing).

Regional NWS Offices for Arkansas

| Region | WFO | Website |

|——–|—–|———|

| Central Arkansas (Little Rock) | NWS Little Rock | weather.gov/lzk |

| Northeast Arkansas (Memphis area) | NWS Memphis | weather.gov/meg |

| NW Arkansas (Tulsa area) | NWS Tulsa | weather.gov/tsa |

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