Little Rock, Arkansas – As Arctic air pushes deep into the Mid-South through late January and into early February, the cold settling over Arkansas will feel sharper and more dangerous than temperatures alone suggest. Increasing winds sweeping across open terrain and river valleys are accelerating heat loss, creating hazardous wind chill conditions across the state.
According to the National Weather Service, wind chill explains how quickly exposed skin loses heat when wind strips away the thin layer of warmth the body naturally produces. In a state where prolonged Arctic cold is less common, this rapid heat loss can catch residents off guard, making conditions feel dramatically colder than expected and increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
Arkansas’ geography plays a major role in shaping the impact. In northern Arkansas, communities across the Ozarks, including areas near Harrison and Mountain Home, experience stronger, more persistent winds along higher elevations, pushing wind chills into dangerous territory. Central Arkansas, including Little Rock and Conway, faces sharp bursts of wind-driven cold as Arctic air moves freely across open ground and along the Arkansas River. In eastern Arkansas, flat Delta terrain offers little resistance to wind, allowing cold air to sweep across farmland and highways with minimal interruption. Farther south, even areas closer to the Louisiana border are not immune, as steady winds continue to amplify cold overnight and during early morning hours.
Wind chill does not freeze pipes or vehicles below the actual air temperature, but it freezes people faster. Exposed skin on hands, ears, noses, and faces can develop frostbite in as little as 20 to 30 minutes when wind chills drop into the teens or single digits. Children, older adults, outdoor workers, and unhoused populations face elevated risk, and pets left outdoors can lose body heat rapidly, even with shelter.
Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, dress in layered, wind-resistant clothing, fully cover exposed skin, and bring pets inside during the coldest periods. With Arctic air expected to linger into early February, additional cold-related advisories and warnings may be issued as wind and temperature continue to combine into hazardous conditions across Arkansas.
