Little Rock, Arkansas – Wet pavement could slow drivers along I-30 and I-40 before 8 a.m. Thursday as a passing system brings scattered showers statewide and a brief rain-snow mix near the Missouri border, but temperatures climbing 15 to 20 degrees above seasonal averages will keep most areas mild by midday.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, Arkansas falls within a 40 to 50 percent above-normal precipitation zone through Tuesday. That enhanced corridor stretches from the Gulf Coast into the Midwest, increasing the likelihood of multiple rounds of rain as February closes out.
In Little Rock, where average highs this time of year sit in the mid-50s, afternoon temperatures next week may surge into the upper 60s and even approach 70 degrees. Fort Smith and the Arkansas River Valley could see similar warmth, especially along I-49. Northwest Arkansas, including Fayetteville and Bentonville, may experience a brief pre-dawn mix before temperatures quickly rise above freezing, eliminating slick spots by late morning.
The broader outlook favors above-normal warmth across much of the eastern United States, while cooler air lingers across parts of the West Coast. That contrast keeps the jet stream active over the South, supporting additional rainfall chances.
Drivers should allow extra travel time during heavier showers, clear storm drains to prevent localized flooding and monitor ARDOT updates for changing conditions. The milder stretch continues into early next week, though additional systems could still prompt advisories. Winter is losing ground across Arkansas, but isolated cold pockets could still appear before spring fully settles in.
