[WHAT] Winter weather conditions, including accumulating snow, mixed sleet and snow, and some freezing rain is forecast to spread across the state today through Wednesday, resulting in widespread travel impacts.
[WHEN] Winter precipitation will begin across northwest Arkansas later this morning, and expand towards central to southern Arkansas by this afternoon to evening, and persist through Wednesday morning (February 19).
[WHERE] Significant accumulating snowfall is expected across the northern third of the state, with mixed precipitation including sleet/snow and freezing rain over the southern two-thirds of the state.
[ADDITIONAL INFO]
Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for portions of northern and central Arkansas due to heavy snow and sleet. This is where forecast confidence is highest for impactful accumulations.
Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for the remainder of the state where lesser snow, sleet, and freezing rain totals are expected.
Hazardous cold is forecast by Wednesday morning with single digit to negative morning wind chill values forecast through Friday morning. Cold Weather Advisories are in effect for a large portion of the state tonight, and additional cold weather headlines will likely be needed through Friday morning.
Winter Weather Briefing for Arkansas from the National Weather Service in Little Rock
Winter Storm Warning criteria is variable across the state, and now incorporates impact and vulnerability with regard to winter weather.
[WHAT] Winter weather conditions, including accumulating snow, mixed sleet and snow, and some freezing rain is forecast over most of the state Tuesday through Wednesday, and will likely result in travel impacts across the state Tuesday through Wednesday.
[WHEN] Winter precipitation is expected to expand in coverage over the state from west to east Tuesday morning (February 18), and persist through Wednesday morning (February 19).
[WHERE] Accumulating snowfall is expected across the northern third of the state, with a transition zone of mixed precipitation and freezing rain more likely through the event over the southern two-thirds of the state.
[ADDITIONAL INFO] Portions of the Winter Storm Watch have been upgraded to a Warning as of Monday morning, highlighting where forecast confidence is highest for impactful snowfall. Changes to the watch area and forecast snowfall amounts are still possible.
Winter Weather Advisories should also be expected where lesser snow amounts and higher ice accruals are forecast.
Hazardous cold is forecast through the latter half of this week, with single digit to negative morning wind chill values possible Wednesday through Friday mornings. Cold Weather Advisories will likely be needed by Wednesday morning.
Another arctic air blast coming our way; Winter Weather Briefing from the NWS
Pockets of very light freezing rain are expected in portions of central and eastern Arkansas this morning. A light glaze of ice is possible in places. Amounts will be on the order of a trace to a few hundredths of an inch. A Winter Weather Advisory has been posted.
Another round of Arctic air will arrive Thursday night/Friday, and will stay with us through the weekend. The magnitude of this surge of cold air will not rival what we have experienced lately, but temperatures will be well below normal. Saturday will be the coldest day with temperatures starting to recover Sunday.
As Arctic air exits to the east early next week, moisture will increase across the Plains. Rain will likely develop across the region on Monday, and may begin as a period of freezing rain in the morning. At this time, it appears some icing is possible, especially in western sections of the state.
Winter Weather Briefing and road conditions for Arkansas from the National Weather Service and IDriveArkansas
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.
Winter storm moving into Arkansas this weekend
The National Weather Service in Little Rock advises:
As colder air moves in this morning, rain will continue transitioning to light snow across west/northwest Arkansas, with less than an inch of accumulation at most locations.
Beginning mid-morning, sustained wind speeds between 25 and 30 mph will be common across the state, with gusts over 45 mph.
Precipitation will exit the state by Friday evening, with winds settling down by late Friday night.
By late Saturday, Arctic air will begin to surge into the region from the northwest. This will result in below to much below average temperatures through early next week. Once cold air is in place, it appears that wintry precipitation will become more likely Sunday night into Monday. There is potential for warning criteria snow (several inches or more). Stay tuned for specifics.
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 weather headed to Arkansas
Overall, forecast confidence is high for an impactful Winter Storm across the northwestern half of the state this coming Tuesday through Wednesday.
Forecast snowfall amounts have continued to increase, and hazardous travel impacts are expected across much of western, northwestern, and northern Arkansas Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning.
Attached is a supplemental briefing with our latest forecast information, including our newest forecast snowfall amounts. Changes to snow amounts/coverage of accumulation are still possible, but overall confidence for impactful snowfall is high.
Arctic front blasting the state on Thursday
An arctic front will blast through the state on Thursday with very cold air and gusty winds accompanying the boundary.
Wind chill warnings and advisories have been issued along with a winter weather advisory across the north for several inches of snow. Strong winds will blow this snow about as it will be dry and powdery with low moisture content.
National Weather Service Winter Weather Briefing for Arkansas
We are still on track to seeing some wintry weather over parts of northern and western Arkansas late today and tonight. Rain will mix with and eventually changeover to all snow by early this evening, across the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains. Snow accumulations of one to two inches remain possible, especially in the highest elevations.
While this will be a quick hitting event, there may be minor travel impacts. Roads in some areas may become snow/slush covered, with icy patches on bridges and overpasses.