Winter Storm Watch for Arkansas Thursday and Friday

Western to southwestern Arkansas and the Ouachita Mountains is expected to see the greatest snowfall accumulations.

• WHAT HAS CHANGED: • Forecast liquid-equivalent (QPF) was increased across the forecast area, which has increased forecast snowfall amounts. • A Winter Storm Watch has been issued across portions of western, southwestern, and central Arkansas, following the areas of highest confidence for winter weather impacts Thursday through Friday (January 9-10).

• WHAT WE KNOW: • A strong storm system is forecast to move across the southern Gulf Coast Thursday through Friday, and is expected to bring impactful winter weather to the state. • Greatest confidence for impacts remains across western to southwestern Arkansas.

• WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: • There is still uncertainty regarding the exact placement of where the greatest snowfall amounts could occur. This will be addressed over the next few runs of forecast data. • There is also uncertainty across the Arkansas/Louisiana border region with regard to mixed precip types (freezing rain versus wintry mix). Expect changes and refinement to the forecast!

Confidence continues to increase on an impactful winter storm across the state during the Thursday-Friday timeframe (January 9-10). New updates with this briefing include the issuance of a Winter Storm Watch for a large portion of the state. 

 The greatest impacts are currently expected across western to southwestern, and portions of central Arkansas. Expect changes to the footprint of greatest snowfall accumulations, and the Winter Storm Watch!

Winter storm and ice warnings in parts of Arkansas; travel is affected

...WINTER WINTER ADVISORY IN SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO A WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Significant icing. Additional ice accumulations of near
  one quarter of an inch.

* WHERE...Sevier, Howard, Hempstead and Nevada Counties.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM CST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Bridges and overpasses could become slick resulting in
  travel impacts this morning. Those impacts will continue through
  the day and especially into the overnight hours. Power outages
  and tree damage are likely due to the ice.

 PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency. Prepare for possible power
outages.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1, or in Arkansas see the idrivearkansas.com website.

National Weather Service in Little Rock warns of accumulating ice in Arkansas; Winter weather briefing attached

Accumulating ice is possible across much of the state, but the highest totals (a quarter inch or more) will likely be in the central third of the state. An ice storm warning is in effect for those areas with surrounding areas in a winter weather advisory.

Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for portions of northern, west-central, and southern Arkansas. An Ice Storm Warning is in effect for portions of central and northeastern Arkansas.

• As temperatures slowly drop at or below freezing, two systems are expected to pull moisture into the state. The first system is expected by this afternoon bringing the chance of freezing rain/sleet to portions of northern and central Arkansas. The second system (the main freezing rain producer) is expected to move in Tuesday afternoon, affecting a larger portion of the state.

Winter Storm Warning in effect for McCurtain County in Southeastern Oklahoma; Winter Weather Advisory for Sevier and Howard Counties in SW Arkansas

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for McCurtain County, Oklahoma. A Winter Weather Advisory is also in effect N of I-30 by mid afternoon through tonight. Snow accumulations will be slushy to start, with slush and snow-covered roads becoming slick into the evening hours.

Arctic Air to Blast Arkansas This Week

The latest guidance is showing the front moving through earlier than previous thinking and crossing the Mississippi River by mid to late afternoon.

We are still expecting a blast of bitterly cold air behind the front with dangerous wind chills by Friday morning. The arctic air will settle over the state through Christmas with only some moderation expected. The winds will slacken on Friday as the system pulls away but the cold will remain. There is currently a wind chill watch in effect for the north with wind chill advisories or warnings likely across most if not all of the state with time.

Finally there could be some snow across mainly the north and northwest with an inch or two possible but most areas will see less than that as the system will be moving very quickly, moisture is limited and the window for accumulating snow is relatively small.