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.

Arctic Cold Front Heading to Arkansas

Dangerous cold air is coming to Arkansas this week.

Areas of light snow are expected on Thursday, especially from northern into central Arkansas. Advisory criteria accumulations are possible. There could be some travel issues as temperatures turn sharply colder.

Arctic air will be in place at the end of the week, with well below normal temperatures in the forecast. Breezy northwest winds will create wind chill index values below zero across much of the region Thursday night and Friday morning. Temperatures will fall below zero in parts of the Ozark Mountains Friday morning, with readings below freezing statewide during the day.

Winter Weather Briefing for Arkansas

Click on picture above for the latest briefing.

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

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.