Rain in Texarkana area has been above average; more on the way

An above average amount of rainfall over the last couple of months has left a lot of saturated ground in the Texarkana area.

"We have had a lot of rain. It's definitely been above average," said Davyon Hill, meteorologist with National Weather Service in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Texarkana received 7.61 inches of rain in February, which is about 3.62 inches above average, according to NWS. In March, Texarkana rain totals were 6.07 inches - 1.87 inches above normal.

So far in April, Texarkana has received 1.53 inches of rain, which is a little above normal.

"But April could still level out," Hill said.

Rainy seasons can often be attributed to an El Nio weather pattern. That's when the sun warms the Pacific Ocean near the equator and can result in more rain. A La Nia pattern is the opposite and can result in dryer conditions.

However, that's not the case this time.

"We are not in either El Nio or La Nia. We are in neutral right now," Hill said.

Instead, much of the rain can be attributed to a pattern called a southwest flow.

This upper-level pattern is associated with a trough in the west. It is often linked to stormy weather that results in hot and cold weather coming together.

"Typically, there is a pattern where there a bunch of weather disturbances," Hill said. "We keep getting these disturbances and it results in rain after rain after rain. Mother Nature will eventually change course. It has a way of working itself out," Hill said.

More rain is expected this weekend.

There is an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Saturday. Some storms overnight into Sunday could possibly be severe, according to NWS. A 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms are also possible Sunday.

Damaging wind gusts, large hail and isolated tornadoes could be possible, especially across Northeast Texas.

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