Wet Weather Returns

Wet weather will return in full force today as a cold front approaches from the west. This front is currently moving through eastern Texas and Oklahoma and is accompanied by some heavy rain and embedded thunderstorms. This front will move slowly eastward through the day, and it should be stretched from central Arkansas through western Louisiana by this evening. We may see a few light showers this morning, but the most concentrated rainfall will affect the area tonight. Skies will be mostly cloudy today, but a few breaks later this morning should allow highs to top out near 73 this afternoon. A few scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms will be possible, but I'm not expecting any severe weather since the atmosphere will be stable. Winds will also be rather gusty this afternoon with speeds exceeding 20 mph at times.

The front will steadily march eastward tonight, and rain will be likely after 6 p.m. with heaviest rain falling late tonight and early Friday morning. The remnants of former Hurricane Rick will add extra moisture to this storm system, so I would be surprised to see many rainfall totals under 1". It's more likely that totals will be generally under 1.5'. Wind gusts may also approach 25 mph late tonight and early Friday morning as the main band of rain moves through the area. The frontal boundary will pass through just before sunrise, so it looks like temperatures will be near 63 tomorrow morning.