Scroll down for the 7-day forecast at the end. ?
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Little Rock says their confidence is increasing for the likelihood of a significant winter storm affecting Arkansas by mid-week…
This includes the possibility of significant snow and ice accumulations in portions of the state.
It will begin as rain on Tuesday and transition to a wintry mix, alternating between precipitation types. The NWS says this makes the forecast incredibly challenging, with these transitions likely wreaking havoc on accumulation forecasts.
According to current data on Sunday evening, Snow looks to be most likely over northwest and north-central Arkansas. Significant snowfall accumulation is possible in and near the Ozark/Boston Mountains.
A mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is most likely over west-central and central into eastern Arkansas. Accumulations of snow and sleet, as well as some ice accumulation is possible. Significant and damaging sleet/ice accumulation looks to be most likely over northeast Arkansas.
This forecast will change as we get closer to Tuesday and Wednesday.
In addition to winter weather, a frigid Arctic airmass will move into the region by Thursday into Friday. Low temperatures in the single digits and wind chill temperatures below zero are possible over northwest Arkansas by Friday morning. This is not expected to be a repeat of last February’s Arctic outbreak, but will be dangerous nonetheless.
To reiterate:
• A significant winter storm is looking more likely to affect the state by mid-week
• Significant snow and ice accumulations are possible
• Impacts to travel and infrastructure are likely, especially over much of the northern half of the state
• The precipitation transition will be rather messy, and there could be a fairly wide swath of potential impacts
Protect your home and pets. Cover your outdoor faucets, let the inside faucets drip when it’s below freezing outside, and let your pets indoors or have a warm place for them.
HERE’S THE SALINE COUNTY 7-DAY FORECAST: