The latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Little Rock shows the cold front moving through earlier than previously expected. An Arctic cold front will move across the state on Thursday, ushering in bitterly cold air.
*Some* snow will accompany the front, with light accumulations possible across the north. There could be a dusting of snow across central portions of the state as well.
The bigger story will be the Arctic air that will move in and settle over the region through the end of the week, with temperatures well below normal. Breezy northwest winds will create wind chill index values below zero across much of the region Thursday through Friday morning.
Temperatures will fall below zero across the north Friday morning with single digits and teens elsewhere. Readings will likely stay below freezing statewide during the day Friday. The winds will slacken on Friday as the system pulls away but the cold will remain, with only some moderation in temperatures through Christmas.
Begin preparing now for very cold temperatures. Remember the Four P’s… People, Pets, Plants, and Pipes. Check on your neighbors and family and friends to make sure they have a plan. Bring pets inside. Cover plants or bring them inside. Cover your outdoor faucets and let faucets drip inside to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
EXTENDED DAILY FORECAST:
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 49. North northeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 30. North northeast wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.
Thursday
A chance of rain before 5pm, then a chance of snow. Cloudy, with a temperature rising to near 46 by 11am, then falling to around 29 during the remainder of the day. Breezy, with a south wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 6. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 20. West northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 14. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 16.
Christmas Day
Sunny, with a high near 32.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.