Little Rock, Arkansas – A major winter storm is expected to impact nearly all of Arkansas beginning Friday afternoon, bringing a dangerous mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain that could cripple travel and knock out power across large portions of the state through late Saturday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Little Rock, a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect statewide as a high-impact winter weather event develops Friday night and continues into Sunday morning. Central and northern Arkansas could see widespread snowfall totals of 4 to 8 inches, with isolated amounts exceeding 8 to 10 inches. Southern Arkansas faces a greater ice threat, with sleet accumulations of 1 to 3 inches and freezing rain totals between a quarter and half an inch possible in far southern counties.
Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Searcy, Batesville, Mountain Home, Russellville, Pine Bluff, Hot Springs, and Jonesboro-area communities are all at risk for hazardous conditions. Bridges and overpasses along I-40, I-30, I-55, and I-49 are expected to become slick quickly, with travel potentially becoming nearly impossible during periods of heavier precipitation.
Power outages and tree damage are likely where ice accumulates, and dangerously cold wind chills between 5 and 10 degrees below zero are possible across northern Arkansas late Saturday night into Sunday morning.
The Winter Storm Watch remains in effect through late Saturday night, and additional warnings are expected as confidence increases in storm impacts.
