Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas remains under an elevated winter weather threat as lingering cold across the Mid-South keeps the potential for additional snow and ice events high through mid-February, following one of the most expansive winter storms to cross the country this season.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across Arkansas are expected to remain below normal for an extended stretch. With cold air firmly in place, any storm system tracking across the Southern Plains or Lower Mississippi Valley could bring snow, sleet, or freezing rain, especially during overnight and early morning hours.
The concern follows Winter Storm Fern, a massive system that swept from Texas to Maine and impacted more than two dozen states. Fern delivered significant snowfall across Arkansas, with well over a foot documented in parts of northern and central sections of the state. Travel conditions deteriorated rapidly along Interstates 40, 30, 49, and 55, while school closures and widespread delays were reported as roads became snow-covered and icy.
As cold conditions linger, communities from Little Rock and Conway to Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, and the Ozarks could face renewed impacts if similarly strong systems develop. Arkansas Department of Transportation officials warn that repeated winter events can quickly overwhelm road treatment efforts, particularly on elevated roadways and rural routes that are slower to clear.
Emergency management officials are urging residents to prepare now by checking heating systems, insulating exposed pipes, and keeping winter emergency kits stocked with food, water, and medications. Drivers are encouraged to avoid non-essential travel during winter weather and to monitor ARDOT road condition updates closely.
While the exact timing of future storms remains uncertain, forecasters say the broader pattern supports continued winter threats. Additional advisories and alerts may be issued as confidence increases, with cold air and the risk for heavy snow and ice likely remaining a persistent concern across Arkansas through mid-February.
