National Weather ServiceArkansasTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in Arkansas
The National Weather Service issued 43 tornado watches for Arkansas in 2025 and 33 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 2nd most of any state. 2026 through September: 22, 18% below the average of 27 for those months in 2008-2025. Union was covered most often (177 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does Arkansas get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of Arkansas. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 22 |
| 2025 | 43 |
| 2024 | 33 |
| 2023 | 31 |
| 2022 | 32 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2019 | 33 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2017 | 25 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2015 | 36 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2013 | 29 |
| 2012 | 27 |
| 2011 | 52 |
| 2010 | 41 |
| 2009 | 34 |
| 2008 | 66 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Arkansas get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Arkansas?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | 177 | 35 | April 28, 2026 |
| Miller | 175 | 32 | April 28, 2026 |
| Little River | 174 | 32 | April 28, 2026 |
| Columbia | 171 | 35 | April 28, 2026 |
| Sevier | 170 | 31 | April 28, 2026 |
| Howard | 168 | 31 | April 28, 2026 |
| Lafayette | 167 | 34 | April 28, 2026 |
| Chicot | 166 | 34 | April 29, 2026 |
| Hempstead | 166 | 36 | April 28, 2026 |
| Bradley | 165 | 33 | April 28, 2026 |
| Ashley | 164 | 33 | April 29, 2026 |
| Clark | 163 | 35 | April 28, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Arkansas.