Mid-Week Ice

A storm system will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain to parts of the State for the middle of this week. A Winter Storm watch is in effect mainly for areas North I-40 for Wednesday evening into Thursday. A mix of light snow and sleet will move into Western and Central Arkansas during the mid-morning hours into the early afternoon. 

Accumulations are likely to be minor, but some slippery spots are possible. The first band of precipitation will diminish by late afternoon, but will increase again Wednesday night with mainly rain Southern Arkansas, a mix of freezing rain and rain Central Arkansas with primarily freezing rain Northern Arkansas. 

A freezing rain and snow mix is likely close to the Missouri border, with freezing rain for Northern and parts of Central Arkansas through Thursday morning.

 Rain and freezing rain will transition to mainly rain by Thursday afternoon, although a few spots over Northern Arkansas may remain freezing rain.

Significant ice accumulations over half an inch are possible in the Winter Storm Watch area. This is enough to cause damage to tree limbs and power lines, as well as cause travel problems. Below is the computer projected ice accumulations through Thursday evening. 

Power outages are likely across much of North Central Arkansas, mainly North of I-40. South of I-40, ice accumulations will be less, but some glazing of trees and power lines is possible. Bridges and overpasses may be icy Thursday morning.  Exact temperatures over Central Arkansas will be critical in determining how much ice accumulates. A difference of even a degree or two will make the difference between significant icing or just cold rain. Rain will come to an end Thursday night with milder temperatures for the end of the week.