When is Tropical Storm Helene expected to make landfall?

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – The remnants of the hurricane that will soon become Hurricane Helene and an aloft storm system could bring several inches of rain to parts of Arkansas just in time for the weekend.

Arkansas will experience an unsettled weather pattern over the next few days as an upper-level low pressure system moves over the state, bringing periods of cloudiness, some rain showers, and cooler temperatures.

Helene is currently a tropical storm with winds of 50 mph (80 km/h), but is expected to quickly strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall on the Florida coast late Thursday evening or early Friday morning.

During the night from Thursday to Friday, moisture from Helene will be transported into the higher-level low pressure system near Arkansas.

This will increase the chance of rain in the state later this week, with a few inches of rain possible in the northern half of Arkansas.

Helene's track and upper-level low will determine who gets the most rain, but it looks like this system will impact much of the state.

Arkansas will experience an unsettled weather pattern over the next few days as an upper-level low pressure system moves over the state, with occasional clouds, some possible rain showers, and cooler temperatures.

By Friday, the remnants of the current Tropical Storm Helene in the Gulf of Mexico will be absorbed by the overarching low pressure system. This increases the likelihood of widespread rainfall across large parts of the state.

Rain chances are currently scattered, but they could increase by the weekend. Forecast models predict that the low pressure system at altitude will be cut off from the jet stream over or near Arkansas throughout the weekend.

If this happens, it will remain cloudy and there is a chance of rain.

Currently, the chances of some sunshine are greatest on Wednesday and Thursday, with a lower chance of rain and highs between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius.

Forecast models predict that the upper-level low pressure system will be cut off from the jet stream over or near Arkansas by the weekend. If that happens, clouds and a chance of rain will remain.