Little Rock, AR – A sharp chill is closing in on Arkansas as a Freeze Watch goes into effect late tonight through Sunday morning across much of the state’s north and central regions, including the Ozarks, River Valley, and Ouachita Mountains. The National Weather Service in Little Rock warns that temperatures could dip as low as 27°F, marking the coldest air of the season so far.
The watch includes communities such as Harrison, Mountain Home, Clinton, Heber Springs, Batesville, Hot Springs, Mena, and Paris. Clear skies and light winds will allow rapid cooling after sunset, creating ideal conditions for widespread frost and subfreezing lows.
Residents are urged to cover tender plants, disconnect garden hoses, and wrap exposed pipes to prevent freeze damage. Farmers and gardeners across the Ozarks and Ouachitas should plan for a season-ending freeze, with crops and vegetation at risk. Pet owners should ensure outdoor animals have warm shelter before temperatures fall.
Travelers along I-40, I-49, and Highway 65 may encounter patchy frost on bridges and windshields early Sunday, though no major travel impacts are expected.
By midmorning Sunday, sunshine will lift readings back into the upper 50s, offering a pleasant fall afternoon. However, another round of cold mornings is expected early next week before temperatures moderate again.
After weeks of mild autumn warmth, Arkansas is finally feeling its first real taste of November — crisp, calm, and unmistakably cold.
