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Little Rock Today
By the People, for the People
Three States Face Entire Month of Rain in Just Five Days
Forecasters warn of heavy rainfall and potential flooding across the southern Plains and Mississippi Valley.
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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A surge of moisture is expected to bring multiple rounds of heavy rain to eastern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and northeastern Texas over a five-day period from Wednesday to Sunday. Rainfall totals could reach 5 to 7 inches, roughly equal to or greater than what these areas typically receive in an entire month of March. The incoming wet pattern is expected to provide drought relief, but also raises the risk of localized flash flooding.
Why it matters
The heavy rainfall poses a threat of flash flooding in an area that has been experiencing drought conditions. While the moisture will be largely beneficial for soils, reservoirs, and early-season vegetation, the rapid accumulation of precipitation over a short time frame could lead to hazardous conditions that residents need to monitor closely.
The details
Multiple storm systems are forecast to sweep through the region between Wednesday and Sunday, with the heaviest rainfall expected on Wednesday and again on Friday into Saturday. The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center says eastern Oklahoma, southwestern Arkansas, and northeastern Texas could see 5 to 7 inches of rain, roughly equal to or greater than their typical March rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches.
- The heavy rainfall is expected to begin on Wednesday and continue through Sunday.
- The heaviest rainfall is forecast for Wednesday and again on Friday into Saturday.
The players
National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center (WPC)
The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather alerts.
Marc Chenard
A meteorologist with the NWS Weather Prediction Center who provided details on the incoming weather pattern.
National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)
A federal program that monitors drought conditions across the United States.
What they’re saying
“Inches of precip for the S. Plains through the South and Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic. Parts of the Northwest/N. Rockies too. Little to no precip for the Southwest, N. Plains, and most of the Southeast.”
— National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) (X)
“Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected across Arkansas over the next seven days. An axis of heavy rainfall is expected from Texas into the Ohio Valley. With drought conditions in place across Arkansas, a several day period of rainfall should bring some drought relief to the state.”
— National Weather Service Little Rock (NWS Little Rock website)
What’s next
Residents in the affected areas should stay alert for changing weather conditions and potential flood advisories as the wet pattern persists through the weekend.
The takeaway
The incoming heavy rainfall, while beneficial for drought conditions, poses a risk of flash flooding that residents will need to monitor closely. This early-spring weather pattern is a few weeks ahead of typical severe weather season in the Southern Plains.
