The threat of a tornado outbreak, including long-track tornadoes are possible for much of the area today.
The risk level for much of southern Arkansas is moderate which is the National Weather Service's second-highest risk tier. However, the risk level is subject to change to high, said Aaron Stevens, NWS meteorologist in Shreveport.
Damaging winds, large hail and even flash flooding are possible starting early this morning and continuing through the afternoon.
"All hazards are on the table," said a NWS meteorologist during a Facebook live report Friday afternoon.
On rare occasions, the strength of a tornado remains nearly constant for several hours and forms a single, long-lasting tornado with a continuous damage path many times the average length. This is referred to as a long-track tornado, Stevens said.
"A lot of the time a tornado skips and jumps and might just go for a few miles," Stevens said. "With a long-track tornado, they can go over multiple counties and even states."
Severe weather is forecast especially along and north of Interstate 20 in east Texas, extreme Northwest Louisiana, extreme southwest Arkansas, and southeast Oklahoma. Large hail will be the biggest threat. Locally heavy rain may also lead to isolated flash flooding.
"It's a big area to watch," Stevens said.
A low pressure system will move from central Texas across the ArkLaTex and into Arkansas bringing the potential tornado outbreak to the area with severe thunderstorms likely. Large hail and damaging winds will be the primary threats during the morning hours, mainly north of Interstate 20, ahead of a northward moving warm front, according to NWS. By late morning into the afternoon, most of the Four State Region will be within the warm sector. Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms are expected. Rainfall amounts of one to three inches are likely, which may lead to isolated flooding. The severe weather threat should end shortly after midnight Sunday morning.
This threat will the most serious threat this area has experienced this storm season "by far," Stevens said.
The NWS wants people to stay alert and weather aware.
Meteorologist encourage people to receive weather alerts on their smart phones and follow local storm coverage on television or social media.
An interior room on the lowest floor of a house is the safest place to take shelter during a tornado. Anyone in the direct path of a tornado should also cover their heads-with a helmet if possible-due to falling debris, according to NWS.
The NWS also recommends everyone have an emergency kit available with fresh water and first aid supplies.