Little Rock, Arkansas – A prolonged stretch of colder-than-normal weather is expected to take hold across Arkansas from Friday through early the following week, bringing sustained chilly conditions, occasional freezing nights in the north, and limited chances for widespread rain or snow.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, the 8 to 14-day outlook for Jan. 30 through Feb. 5 places Arkansas within a high-confidence zone for below-normal temperatures. Much of the state falls within an 80 to 100 percent probability range for colder-than-average conditions as a broad cold pattern expands across the eastern and central United States.
High temperatures across Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, and Pine Bluff are expected to run several degrees below seasonal averages. Overnight lows are likely to dip to near or below freezing at times across northern and western Arkansas, particularly in the Ozarks, while central and southern areas experience colder-than-usual nights and brisk daytime conditions. The cold air mass stretches from the East Coast west through the Mississippi Valley into the central Plains.
Precipitation during this period is expected to trend near to below normal across Arkansas. The outlook favors a generally drier pattern across much of the Mid-South, limiting the likelihood of frequent rain events. While a brief light rain or spotty wintry mix in northern counties cannot be ruled out, the overall setup does not support repeated or significant precipitation.
Above-normal precipitation chances remain focused mainly across Texas, Florida, and the Pacific Northwest, while near-normal precipitation is expected across parts of Oklahoma, southern Arkansas, and portions of the lower Mississippi Valley.
Arkansas residents should prepare for an extended stretch of winter cold, take steps to protect pipes and sensitive vegetation during colder nights, and remain cautious of early morning icy spots, especially across northern counties and higher elevations. Additional outlook updates may follow as confidence increases closer to the period.
