ARKANSAS, USA – Happy Holidays from the 5NEWS weather team! While Christmas was cloudy and gloomy all day, the chance of rain returned on the 26th. Due to the likelihood of some strong to severe thunderstorms, we have issued a weather warning for Thursday evening.

The overall risk of severe weather is low, but not zero. The majority of the “storm energy” lies further south in the Ark-La-Tex region. The main concern for us will be across the river valley and south of I-40.

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Heavy rainfall is expected during the afternoon and evening hours on Thursday 26th, with isolated thunderstorms also possible. Because this chance of precipitation occurs during the peak heat of the day, there could be just enough energy to produce a strong to severe thunderstorm.

The main concerns will be strong winds and the possibility of an isolated tornado. Both risks are small but not zero since the main problem is south of I-40.

Flash flood risk is another minimal risk, but not zero. The problem is that we recorded about 1 to 2 inches of precipitation across the area earlier this week, and this wave of rain and thunderstorms has a chance of bringing another 1 to 2 inches of precipitation.

During the holiday season, many travel plans may be disrupted by the possibility of rain and storms. The schedule appears to focus on the afternoon and evening hours, sometime between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m

Scattered showers will most likely continue through the overnight hours before disappearing Friday morning.

If your family or friends are traveling tomorrow evening, you should let them know that travel conditions, both by air and by road, are not ideal.