Arkansas Storm Team Weather Blog: Tornado watch in effect for much of eastern Arkansas until midnight

UPDATE: The National Weather Service has issued multiple tornado watches lasting until 12 a.m. for 15 counties, including Pulaski, Lonoke, Prairie & White Counties.

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UPDATE: A pair of tornado warnings have been issued for parts of southwest and south central Arkansas Friday evening.

The first warning covered parts of Clark and Hot Spring Counties and runs through 5:15 p.m.

A second warning runs until 5:30 p.m. for parts of northwestern Grant County, southeastern Saline County and northeastern Hot Spring County.

These storms are moving very quickly. Anyone in these areas is advised to get into a safe place.

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A tornado watch is in effect for southwest and southern central Arkansas until 7 pm. More counties in southeast Arkansas will likely be added later Friday.

The far southeast corner of the state is under a level 4 risk. Little Rock as well as much of central and northeastern Arkansas is under a level 3 risk, with a level 2 and 1 covering much of the rest of the state excluding far northwest Arkansas.

Storms are currently moving across central and northern parts of the state as of early Friday afternoon.

Through the afternoon, as storms continue to move eastward, the atmosphere will be more favorable for severe weather. Storms are expected to strengthen through the afternoon and evening.

Friday afternoon and evening pose the greatest risk for strong to severe storms over central & east Arkansas.

Damaging winds up to 60-80 mph will be possible as well as tornadoes. A few tornadoes could be on the stronger side. Flooding also remains a risk as well as quarter-sized hail.