Timing
Our winter storm arrives Thursday morning and will spread across the state throughout the day. Snow begins in southwest Arkansas as early as 7–9 AM, moving through the Ouachitas, the River Valley, and I-30 corridor by midday. Snow will continue through Thursday night, becoming heaviest late-evening into early Friday morning, before tapering off by Friday afternoon.
Wednesday is your last full day to prepare. Don’t wait until Thursday morning for errands—conditions will deteriorate quickly as snow begins.
Threats and Impacts
This storm will bring a range of impacts:
Snow Accumulation:
Central, Southwest and Eastern Arkansas: 5–7 inches, with isolated higher totals.
Northern & NW Arkansas: 1–3 inches, due to less moisture.
South Arkansas: 1–3 inches of snow on top of a possible wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet.
Wintry Mix in South Arkansas:
Areas south of Highway 278 may see sleet and freezing rain, leading to ice accumulations of 0.1 to 0.3 inches. Minor tree damage, sporadic power outages and slick roads are possible, especially where snow follows the ice.
Travel will be hazardous statewide, with the heaviest snow likely along I-30 and I-40 corridors. Prepare for potential power outages in areas with ice accumulation.
How to Prepare
Finish errands by Wednesday evening. Stock up on groceries, medication and essentials.
Prepare for travel impacts. Roads will become snow-covered and icy quickly as precipitation moves in on Thursday. The most difficult travel will exist Thursday night through Friday morning.
Stay weather-aware. Follow updates, especially if you’re in South Arkansas where conditions may vary between snow, sleet, and rain.
Plan for refreezing. Even as thawing begins this weekend, overnight lows in the 20s could lead to icy roads each morning into early next week.
The Weekend and Beyond
Sunshine returns Saturday and Sunday, bringing some thawing, but re-freezes overnight will likely keep roads slick in the mornings. By early next week, highs in the 40s should allow for more significant melting.
Stay tuned for updates, and let’s get prepared for this significant winter storm.