[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.
Winter Weather Briefing from the National Weather Service in Little Rock
Snow appears most likely well to the north of Arkansas
A cold rain is favored across much of the southern half of the state and nearby areas
There is an increasing concern that areas along the AR/MO border, including the higher terrain in Arkansas, will have to deal with freezing rain or mixed precipitation
NWS issues a Winter Storm Warning for southern and central Arkansas
Portions of the Winter Storm Watch have been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning, valid through the Thursday-Friday (January 9-10) timeframe. The Winter Storm Warning area currently encompasses where the highest confidence for impactful conditions exist. Changes and expansions to the watch and warning areas are still possible and should be expected!
WHAT HAS CHANGED: Portions of the Winter Storm Watch have been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning, mainly including the southern half of the state (south of I-40). This largely includes where confidence of impactful snowfall is currently highest. Expansions of the warning are still possible!
WHAT WE KNOW: A strong storm system is forecast to impact Arkansas Thursday morning through Friday evening bringing heavy snow across much of the state. Greatest confidence for impacts will be across west-central to central Arkansas.
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: Exact placement of greatest snow amounts, and where locally greater totals could occur due to banding. Where snow may change over to sleet, freezing rain, or just rain near the Louisiana border. Expect changes and refinement to the forecast!
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 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.
Snow in the forecast for parts of Arkansas Friday and Friday night
The next weather system is expected to move across Arkansas on Friday bringing with it light amounts of wintry weather across the higher terrain of the Ozark/Boston Mountains, and potentially the higher terrain of the Ouachitas. If the snowfall does materialize, amounts of 1 to 2 inches with higher amounts near 3 inches could fall over the highest elevations of the Boston Mountains.
Temperatures on Friday will barely support wintry weather reaching the ground, with temperatures near freezing to above freezing, thus impacts should be limited to elevated objects such as trees, vehicles, and possible bridges and overpasses.
This system is expected to be minor, with minor impacts to those higher elevation locations. Continue to monitor the forecast from your local forecast office.
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.
Winter weather on the way to Arkansas; winter storm warning and winter weather advisory issued
Here is the latest update for the Winter Storm expected Tuesday through Wednesday.
We've slightly increased snowfall amounts across western and northwestern Arkansas.
Also, the Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory have been issued.
Changes to snow amounts/coverage of accumulation are still possible, but overall confidence for impactful snowfall is high.
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.
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.
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.
Ice Accumulations Expected With Winter Storm Warning in Arkansas
A winter storm with significant snow and ice accumulations is imminent! Additionally, a very cold Arctic air mass will move into the state late this week with minimum temperatures in the single digits to low 20s and wind chills in the single digits. - National Weather Service
Arkansas expected to get snow and sleet this week
KUAR | By Remington Miller
Arkansas is forecast to receive a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain later this week with the potential for hazardous driving conditions.
The National Weather Service says rain is expected to begin on Tuesday, then a cold front will enter the state causing a gradually transition to winter weather on Wednesday. But forecasters say there is still uncertainty about the amount and types of precipitation, making it difficult to predict.
Meteorologist Thomas Jones says after the wind switches to the northwest and brings in colder air he expects to see “rain change to freezing rain and sleet across the north part of the state.”
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service projection for snow and sleet amounts between Wednesday and Friday, as of Monday at 11 a.m.