Fayetteville, AR – Northern Arkansas may see a wetter and cooler stretch during the Thanksgiving travel window, as long-range federal outlooks point to above-normal precipitation between November 23 and November 29.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook released Saturday, northern Arkansas sits within a 40–50% probability zone for wetter-than-normal conditions. While temperatures are marginal for widespread snow, colder air pushing south into Missouri could bring brief periods of mixed precipitation to the Ozarks and higher terrain.
Northwest Arkansas—including Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers, and Springdale—sits closest to the rain–snow transition zone. Elevation may help tilt some late-night or early-morning systems toward wet snow or a mix, even if valley temperatures stay above freezing.
Fort Smith, Harrison, and Mountain Home remain firmly in the elevated precipitation zone, though warmer conditions may favor cold rain during most of the period. Still, timing could lead to brief slushy travel conditions if shallow cold air dips farther south.
Northeast Arkansas—including Jonesboro and Paragould—sits in the same wet corridor, though snow chances remain lower outside of nighttime hours.
Thanksgiving week brings heavy regional travel along I-49, I-40, and US-412. Even cold rain can slow traffic, and mixed precipitation in higher terrain may create short-duration travel issues.
Air travel may also see impacts at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) and Fort Smith Regional Airport if systems arrive during peak holiday departure periods.
Forecasters will refine timing and precipitation type early next week as short-range models begin resolving individual systems.
