National Weather Service Little Rock, Arkansas
An inside look at the National Weather Service Office in Little Rock, serving the greater Arkansas region.
About NWS Little Rock
The NWS Mission
To provide weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services (IDSS) for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.
The NWS Vision
A Weather-Ready Nation: Society is prepared for and responds to weather, water, and climate-dependent events.
The LZK Team
Where We Went To School & The Military Branches We've Served In
The staff at NWS Little Rock is a unique mix of people who are originally from Arkansas, people who have spent the last 15-20+ years in Arkansas, and several who are from different parts of the country. Across the board, we've all studied at numerous institutions around the country, and dedicated time to serving in the military.
NWS Little Rock Alma Maters
Little Rock Office History
Here is a detailed timeline of the history of the Weather Service Office in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Our Office Has Moved Around Quite A Bit!
The Little Rock Weather Forecast Office moved quite frequently during the early part of the 20th century, but has been at it's current location, adjacent to the North Little Rock Airport, since 1975.
Historic Events
The state of Arkansas and NWS Little Rock have no shortage of significant, and impactful weather events in recorded history, including historic river flooding, winter weather events, and severe weather outbreaks. Here's a few links to review some of the most notable events from our past!
Operations
A Day in the Office
The National Weather Service is a 24/7 - 365 government organization, so forecasters are always on duty at each office, and work in rotating shifts, generally the day shift, the evening shift, and the midnight shift.
At NWS Little Rock, two forecasters work operationally each shift, splitting job duties up as the long term forecaster, and the short-term/aviation forecaster, with additional staffing called as necessary in hazardous weather scenarios.
The short term forecaster is responsible for the first 48 hours of the forecast, including collaborating and updating any hazards, watches, and warnings in effect, and monitoring/updating the aviation forecast.
The long term forecaster is responsible for days 3-7 of the forecast, updating hydrological products as needed, preparing and releasing weather balloons, and updating social media. The long term forecaster is generally also responsible for creating or updating hazardous weather briefings as they are needed.
In addition to the short and long term forecasters, a Decision Support Services (DSS) shift is operational everyday, to help supplement the two on-duty forecasters as needed during hazardous and impactful weather. During quiet weather, the DSS shift can perform outreach, research, etc.
In the picture: An "all hands on deck" weather event is underway with a full staff present in the NWS Little Rock operations area.
Upper Air Observations
We are one of 92 Radiosonde Observation stations in the NWS Network. Weather Balloons are launched twice daily at 00 UTC and 12 UTC (or more often if high impact weather is expected). The data collected by the Radiosonde as it travels through the atmosphere is essential for assimilation into weather models, forecasts, and research.
In the video: Forecaster Justin Condry releases a 00Z weather balloon.
CO-OP
Cooperative (CO-OP) observers are very much a part of the National Weather Service...collecting much needed weather data where automated observation equipment may not be present.
CO-OP sites are determined, installed, and maintained by the OPL, and the OPL will train the observers at a site as well. Observations provided by a CO-OP site can include temperature (air and/or soil), precipitation (rain and snow when applicable), and river data on a daily basis.
In the picture: Sean Clarke (OPL) works on a Fischer-Porter rain gauge at a CO-OP site in Briggsville, Arkansas.
Aviation
Our office issues Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) at seven terminals for commercial and general aviators to use in planning safe flights. Here are the terminals we issue routine TAFs for:
- Little Rock, Adams Field (KLIT)
- Harrison, Boone County Regional Airport (KHRO)
- Mountain Home, Baxter County Airport (KBPK)
- Hot Springs, Memorial Field Airport (KHOT)
- Arkadelphia, Dexter B. Florence Memorial Airport (KADF)
- Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff Regional Airport (KPBF)
- Monticello, Monticello Municipal Airport (KLLQ)
Hydrology
Arkansas is host to numerous lakes, rivers, and streams, including the Arkansas River, which is navigated commercially daily.
We collaborate with both the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center, and the Arkansas-Red Basin River Forecast Center, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at times, to provide daily river monitoring and forecasts for the greater Arkansas region. Rivers we issue routine forecasts for include:
- Arkansas River
- White River
- Black River
- Buffalo River
- Cache River
- Ouachita River
- Spring River
- Saline River
- Little Missouri River
A hydrological summary map of NWS Little Rock, including the hydrological forecast areas of the river forecast centers (bold blue lines), major rivers and streams (thin blue lines), and NWS county warning areas (purple lines).
Severe Weather
Arkansas and the southeastern U.S. are no strangers to severe weather, with generally two peaks in activity during the year, including the spring months, and a secondary severe weather season during the cooler months of late fall and early winter. All types of severe weather are common in Arkansas, including tornadoes, hail, and non-tornadic thunderstorm wind events, including microbursts/downbursts and derechos.
A graph of monthly tornadoes in the state of Arkansas from 1950-2022.
Winter Weather
Despite generally milder winters, Arkansas is still prone to hazardous winter weather events. In a season, we may have a few winter storms confined to the higher terrain regions, and other times, there may be statewide winter and ice storms as well as Arctic outbreaks.
In Arkansas, most snow falls in the months of January, February, March, and December. Average annual accumulations range from less than 1 inch in the southeast to more than a foot in the northwest.
The Little Rock area tends to see four to five inches of snow in a season, but winter storms can bring 6 to 8 inches (or more) to the metro area in a single event.
The Unique & Challenging Topography of Arkansas
The terrain of Arkansas poses a unique challenge to forecasting, as the higher terrain in the Ouachita and Boston Mountains is host to elevations above 1500 to 2000 feet above sea level. This relatively significant topography can easily influence the production of heavy and impactful snow, while surrounding lower valleys may not see any wintry precipitation at all during an event.
In 2022, NWS Little Rock introduced terrain-based forecast zones for 11 counties in the western and northwestern part of our CWA, splitting the previous 11 zones (counties) into 25 new forecast zones, to help message and forecast elevation-dependent weather events more accurately. For more info on these forecast zones, click here .
Fire Weather/IMETs
With a large component of the Little Rock forecast area consisting of National and State forests/parks, we frequently work together with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Division and the U.S. Forestry Service. Our services include providing accurate fire weather forecast data and products, which are utilized by numerous land management groups and government agencies for prescribed burns and wildfires.
We also have an Incident Meteorologist (IMET) on station who can be deployed to various fire incidents to provide on-site meteorological support. The IMET also helps with local agency "burning schools" where prescribed burning education and using fire weather forecast information is taught.
Decision Support Services (DSS)
Impact-based decision support services (IDSS) is the provision of relevant information and interpretative services to enable core partners' decisions when weather, water, or climate has a direct impact on the protection of lives and livelihoods. Essentially, we produce forecasts and weather information to help core partners, such as emergency managers, government agencies, and others organizations that serve a public safety role.
IDSS forecasting can often be simple and specific tasks, such as predicting and monitoring lightning activity to help emergency managers keep people safe at large outdoor functions. It can also fit to larger-scale needs, such providing more local to state specific forecast briefings about severe weather, hydrological hazards, and winter weather to keep people safe and protect property.
With impactful weather and climate that ranges from severe weather, to winter storms, flash flooding and river flooding, and to drought, there is an endless need for outreach and decision and support services from the NWS in Little Rock.
Our office meets these needs through several different efforts including: building a Weather Ready Nation (WRN), Incident Meteorologist (IMET) and local DSS deployments, Drought Monitor coordination, and special weather briefings to local and state core partners.
Outreach & Educational Opportunities
Arkansas Recreation
There is no shortage of outdoor recreation in "The Natural State", including numerous crystal clear lakes and rivers, waterfalls, hiking and mountain biking trails, and unique destinations!
Rivers and Lakes
"The Natural State" has several fantastic lakes and rivers for anyone looking to boat, swim, fish, kayak/canoe, and even whitewater raft! Here are a few of the major water ways you can visit.
Points of Interest/Recreation
With abundant natural beauty, and countless historical locations, this is merely a short list of state parks, unique locations, and historical areas to visit in Arkansas, all within a few hours' drive from Little Rock.
Arkansas Climatology
Arkansas experiences a humid-subtropical climate, with generally active and wetter weather during the winters and springs, mild winter temperatures, and often hot summers. Here is a look at the 30-year climatological normals for temperature and precipitation for some of the local commuting areas around NWS Little Rock, and our other historical climate locations, Harrison and Pine Bluff.
Temperature and Precipitation Normals for Little Rock, AR
Temperature and Precipitation Normals for Benton, AR
Temperature and Precipitation Normals for Conway, AR
Temperature and Precipitation Normals for Cabot, AR
Temperature and Precipitation Normals for Harrison, AR
Temperature and Precipitation Normals for Pine Bluff, AR
Interested in Applying?
Management and Support Staff Vacancies: Two Electronic Technician vacancies.
Lead Meteorologist Vacancies: No vacant positions.
Meteorologist Vacancies: One vacant position.
If you do not see a vacancy posted on USA Jobs, it means the vacancy applications have been received and the application process is closed OR the job has not been posted yet.
Student Opportunities
We regularly welcome student volunteers at the office during the summer, so feel free to contact us about summer opportunities: sr-lzk.webmaster@noaa.gov
Other student opportunities include the PATHWAYS program, and the Hollings Scholarship Program. For more info on these opportunities, click below.
Federal Employment Information
Government Salaries (GS) information is publicly available. The salary range for federal employees working at NWS Little Rock is provided below. New graduates with a Bachelors of Science degree typically begin their career at the GS-5 level. Those with MS degrees typically begin at the GS-7 level, and those PhDs begin at the GS-9 level. Those coming from the private sector with multiple years of experience may begin at a higher level. There is quick and opportunity for upward movement and increases in the GS level through the first several years of your career, as well as later on.
Due to the NWS working 24/7 - 365, shift differential pay is also given, including:
- 10% nighttime premium for hours worked between 6 PM and 6 AM
- 25% Sunday premium
- 100% premium, or double pay, on any federal holidays that are worked
- Overtime opportunities arise from time to time, and overtime pay is provided at a premium rate.
As of October 2020, the Department of Commerce is now offering government employees 12 weeks of paid paternal leave. To learn more, click on the button below.
All federal employees are eligible to partake in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which works similar to a 401k and is employer matched up to 5%. Additionally, federal employees receive a pension based upon their three highest earning years when they retire.
Medical and life insurance is available for employees to enroll in, as well as extra health insurance coverage such as supplemental insurance and disability insurance.
Thank you for your interest in NWS Little Rock!
