FIRES, FOOTBALL, AND NEW BEGINNINGS
Derek Smith • September 8, 2025
HISTORY IN LITTLE ROCK
If you ask this writer, fall is by far my favorite time of the year. You get to have bonfires, the weather gets much cooler, oh and you get to watch as much football as you want, well when you aren’t out installing cameras, covering severe weather or being busy with dad life. Overall though if you ask me, this is by far the best time of the year!
Saturday was no exception. Weather was PERFECT for football in the natural state with a very unusual airmass over the state bringing temps in the 60s and 70s with sunshine, some early rainfall, and shouts of hog calls, wolf calls, bands battling in Conway, and touchdowns all around the state. The biggest story of the day was by far War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Two teams in the state who have never met before on the gridiron, met on what became a PERFECT Saturday afternoon weather wise. As expected, the University of Arkansas took the game handily, but it was a good contest for much of the game and of course the pregame hype and festivities were great. Sell out crowd, one of the biggest tailgates in recent memory in Little Rock and a state that came together, even if for a day. After a year that has seen one of the worst severe weather seasons in a while this past spring, it was nice to see smiles, cheering and relaxing not only from the people of this great state but also our staff who enjoyed the game as much as anyone else. Cameron ended up closest on his prediction from last week's article, going 42 to 21 with the final being 56 to 14. This could very well be the final game in Little Rock by the U of A, and if it is, well this was a game worth ending it on. I have enjoyed countless games in this stadium, Upsets over LSU, Heartbreak against ULM, but my favorite was yesterday, watching two teams I support come together to play the game most of us love!
FOOTBALL SEASON IS HEATING UP, SO IS ARKANSAS WEATHER
It is September, so as you know football is in full swing, but fall, not so much. After a very nice period of “fall weather” things look to be uptrending this week heading back to a more typical Arkansas September. Heidi Reynolds, Arkansas Weather Watchers Director of Weather, mentions that it is going to be a week of sunshine and summer like temps as we head closer to the first day of fall. No rain in her forecast this week, however, the heat does return. So those of you going out to Friday night lights or going to Oxford or Jonesboro for the big games, well plan for the warmer weather than it has been so far this season. As for this week, our staff has mixed feelings from the games this weeks, but upsets could happen if things go just right. Weather wise though, dry but warm for both games.
Iowa State vs Ark State: ISU 31-21 ASU Cameron ASU 33-30 ASU Derek ASU 44-35 Erica
Weather: Sunny with temps in the upper 80s
Arkansas @ Ole Miss: ARK 38-28 MISS Cameron ARK 41-38 MISS Derek MISS 35-21 Ark Erica
Weather: Clear with temps near 90 at kickoff falling into the 80s during the game.
DEER SEASON IS HERE!
Well, it is that time of the year again where wives become deer widows or however the phrase goes. Amidst all the excitement surrounding the Natural State Showdown in Little Rock, archery season kicked off in the woods all over the state. This past weekend was perfect for hunting with a cold front moving through during the day. As we go into the season, as you know we will deal with warm ups, cool downs and the occasional rain and/or severe weather events. So far, the upcoming week, as mentioned above will only feature heat, however we will be keeping our eyes open for any changes. One week is nice, next week is warm. This week will be much hotter than the previous weekend for hunting but the season is just getting started.
NATURAL STATE WEATHER LIVE!
VERY EXCITED FOR THIS! We are proud to introduce OUR very new comprehensive network of weather data. As you know we launched Natural State Live Weather Stories last month, well now we are proud to announce our full brand from Arkansas Weather Watchers Media Group called Natural State Weather Live! This will replace the old AWW Streaming network with a much better and more enhanced way to get weather information. This will feature weather data, cameras, real time watches, warnings, forecasts and even live weather or forecasts each day. We plan to add much more as time goes on to this network but the possibilities are endless! Cameron Barnes, the creator and mastermind behind the new network, coined the phrase “always live, always local” when it comes to this new channel. To go with the channel, we are also rebranding the camera network to be the Natural State Live Camera Network. This full suite of Natural State Weather products will be YOUR source for occasional sports and mostly weather information and weather news all in one place. Officially launching this week, it will bring you everything you need. A new website is on the way as well as we look to be your continued source for weather information.
FIRES AND CLASSES, ANOTHER CAMERA GOES ONLINE!