... A mixture of winter precipitation is expected across the natural
state Monday...
Arctic high pressure will move into the region this weekend.
Well below normal temperatures are in the forecast... with the coldest
air of the winter thus far. High temperatures today and
Sunday will only be in the 30s and 40s... with some mid and upper 20s
in the northwest. Low temperatures by Sunday morning will be in
single digits to the lower 20s.
It will remain cold on Monday as a new storm system approaches from
the Southern Plains. The system will pull moisture north from the
Gulf Coast... and wintry precipitation will develop.
As the precipitation moves in from the west early Monday morning... a
mixture of snow and sleet is expected across northern and central
Arkansas. Across the south... there may be a combination of rain and
freezing rain.
As the day progresses... warmer air will try to overspread the
region from the south. Snow should continue toward the Missouri
border... but a mixture of rain... freezing rain... and sleet will
be possible across western and central Arkansas. Across the far
south... a switchover to all rain is anticipated.
Due to the mixture of precipitation... both the morning and afternoon
commutes may be hazardous across the state.
As the system moves out of the area Monday night... drizzle will be
possible. Even if temperatures rise above freezing Monday
afternoon... most areas will fall below freezing during the evening...
with freezing drizzle possible Monday night. This will cause travel
issues even in areas that received rain during the day.
This could be a significant winter event in parts of the state.
The pattern is very complex... and forecast refinements are
likely leading up to the event... as a degree or two change in
temperature will have a major impact. Arkansans are advised to
monitor the forecast this weekend... and plan accordingly.
