Snow has let up over most of the northern half of Arkansas. Another round of snow and sleet is expected to develop across the southern half of the state, with additional accumulations of 0.5” to 1” possible through this afternoon.
Travel impacts (including hazardous road conditions and reduced visibilities) will be possible where snowfall or sleet occurs, including major throughways, bridges/overpasses, and rural roads.
Bitterly cold temperatures, much below climatological averages, are expected to continue through at least Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning. Temperatures have fallen to single digits to below-zero in portions of northern Arkansas, and daily high temperatures will likely not rise above freezing again until Wednesday afternoon (at the earliest) for most areas of the state.
Morning minimum wind chill values will remain below zero degrees over a large portion of Arkansas, and persist at hazardous levels through at least Wednesday morning due to abundant Arctic air and breezy conditions.
A brief reprieve from below-normal temperatures will resume on Wednesday and Thursday, and another shot of Arctic air is forecast to move into the region by late this week, bringing more belownormal temps through this coming weekend.
Winter Storm Warning for Arkansas
Winter weather in the form of snowfall and a few days of brutally cold temperatures will soon be upon us. Make needed preparations immediately and have a way to get the latest weather info. Do not wait until the first snowflakes fall or you feel the temperature is cold enough to be a concern, at that point it is too late to begin thinking about preparing. Act now and be ahead of the storm!
Widespread accumulating snow is expected to overspread the state Sunday through Monday. Over a large part of Arkansas, amounts of 2 to 3 inches or less are expected. There could be a narrow corridor of heavier snow which could produce 4 to 6 plus inches. As it stands now, this band is positioned over east-central Arkansas, but could still shift south with time. There is a chance some of the precipitation over southern Arkansas could mix with sleet, if this scenario plays out, actual amounts will be lower. Changes to forecast snow totals are still possible.
Low temperatures are expected to drop overnight and remain well below average for the next several days. Low temperatures are expected to be in the teens to near zero degrees across the state with wind chills feeling much colder.
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY...
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 PM
CST MONDAY...
* WHAT...For the Wind Chill Advisory, very cold wind chills
expected. Wind chills as low as 5 below zero. For the Winter
Storm Warning, heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow
accumulations of 1 to 2 inches and ice accumulations of a light
glaze with locally higher amounts possible.
* WHERE...Portions of southwest Arkansas and southeast Oklahoma.
* WHEN...For the Wind Chill Advisory, from 9 PM this evening to
noon CST Sunday. For the Winter Storm Warning, from noon
Sunday to 6 PM CST Monday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous
conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. The
cold wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions
are not taken.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency.
The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
Hard Freeze for Tonight and More Snow Expected in Forecast from the National Weather Service
...HARD FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures to fall into the single digits
tonight.
* WHERE...Portions of north central and northwest Louisiana, south
central and southwest Arkansas, and portions of east Texas.
* WHEN...Through 6 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Hard freeze conditions will kill crops, other
sensitive vegetation and damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent
freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should
be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have
in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-
ground pipes to protect them from freezing.Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 1. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 26. Wind chill values as low as 1. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
A chance of snow showers before midnight, then snow and sleet likely. Cloudy, with a low around 19. Wind chill values as low as 11. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday
Snow showers before noon, then snow showers, freezing rain, and sleet. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 29. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Wednesday Night
Snow showers, freezing rain, and sleet likely before midnight, then a chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday
A 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 10.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 38.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53.
All UA Cossatot Campuses Closed Monday Due to Forecasted Inclement Winter Weather in Southwest Arkansas
Snow Picture of the Leeper Building at UA Cossatot De Queen Sunday Morning 02/14/21
"Due to the expected storm conditions expected this weekend and to start the work week, all UA Cossatot campuses will be closed Monday, February 15th." Dr. Steve Cole, Chancellor, UA Cossatot
The Latest Briefing on Winter Weather and Warnings for Arkansas from the National Weather Service
Click on photo above for the Winter Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service.
Winter Storm Warning, Hard Freeze Warning and Wind Chill Advisory Issued from the National Weather Service
Sevier-Howard-Little River-Hempstead-Nevada-Miller-Lafayette- Columbia-Union-Caddo-Bossier-Webster-Claiborne-Lincoln-De Soto- Red River-Bienville-Jackson-Ouachita-Sabine-Natchitoches-Winn- Grant-Caldwell-La Salle-McCurtain-Bowie-Franklin-Titus-Camp- Morris-Cass-Wood-Upshur-Marion-Smith-Gregg-Harrison-Cherokee-Rusk- Panola-Nacogdoches-Shelby-Angelina-San Augustine- Including the cities of De Queen, Nashville, Mineral Springs, Dierks, Ashdown, Hope, Prescott, Texarkana, Stamps, Lewisville, Bradley, Magnolia, El Dorado, Shreveport, Bossier City, Minden, Springhill, Homer, Haynesville, Ruston, Farmerville, Bernice, Mansfield, Stonewall, Logansport, Coushatta, Martin, Arcadia, Ringgold, Gibsland, Jonesboro, Monroe, Many, Zwolle, Pleasant Hill, Natchitoches, Winnfield, Colfax, Montgomery, Dry Prong, Clarks, Grayson, Columbia, Jena, Midway, Olla, Idabel, Broken Bow, Clarksville, Bogata, Mount Vernon, Mount Pleasant, Pittsburg, Daingerfield, Lone Star, Naples, Omaha, Atlanta, Linden, Hughes Springs, Queen City, Mineola, Winnsboro, Quitman, Hawkins, Gilmer, Big Sandy, Jefferson, Tyler, Longview, Marshall, Jacksonville, Rusk, Henderson, Carthage, Nacogdoches, Center, Lufkin, San Augustine, Hemphill, and Pineland 223 AM CST Sun Feb 14 2021
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST MONDAY... ...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM CST MONDAY...
* WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches possible across deep east Texas into northwest Louisiana and south- central Arkansas with lesser amounts elsewhere. Sleet accumulations of around 1 inch and ice accumulations of around one quarter of an inch possible across north-central and northeast Louisiana. For the Wind Chill Advisory, very cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 5 below zero across southeast Oklahoma and in the single digits elsewhere.
* WHERE...Portions of north central and northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, south central and southwest Arkansas and east and northeast Texas.
* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, through 6 PM CST Monday. For the Wind Chill Advisory, through 6 PM CST Monday.
* IMPACTS...Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible due to snow, sleet, and ice accumulations. The cold wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
...HARD FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 AM CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures on Sunday night to range anywhere from single digits across Southeast Oklahoma to near 20 degrees across East Texas and North-Central Louisiana. On Monday night, temperatures are forecast to fall into the single digits areawide.
* WHERE...Portions of north central and northwest Louisiana, southeast Oklahoma, south central and southwest Arkansas and east and northeast Texas.
* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 6 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Hard freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
Detailed Forecast for SW Arkansas from the National Weather Service:
Sunday
Snow likely before noon, then snow and sleet likely between noon and 3pm, then snow likely after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 26. Wind chill values as low as 11. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Sunday Night
Snow. Low around 11. Wind chill values as low as 4. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Monday President’s Day
A 20 percent chance of snow before noon. Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 22. Wind chill values as low as zero. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 3. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 29. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
A slight chance of snow showers before midnight, then a chance of snow and freezing rain. Cloudy, with a low around 19. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday
Snow and sleet before noon, then snow and freezing rain. High near 28. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday Night
Snow, freezing rain, and sleet likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday
A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 10.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 39.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.