Ponca, Arkansas

... Winter Storm Watch in effect from this evening through Friday
morning...

The National Weather Service in Little Rock has issued a Winter
Storm Watch... which is in effect from this evening through Friday
morning.

* Rain will mix with snow late this afternoon and evening... and
then quickly changeover to snow this evening across western and
northern Arkansas. This will include areas west of a Mountain
Home... to Clinton... to Murfreesboro line.

* Snow accumulations will be in the two to four inch range... with
locally higher amounts in the higher terrain of western Arkansas.

* Windy conditions will also occur with this system... with the
possibility of blowing snow limiting visibilities.

* This is still a developing system... and the track of the system
will have a large impact of the forecast. Stay tuned to later
forecasts in regards to this significant system.


Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant
snow... sleet... or ice accumulations that may impact travel.
Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

... Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until noon CST today...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* portions of central Arkansas... eastern Arkansas... north
central Arkansas... southeast Arkansas... southwest Arkansas and
western Arkansas... including the following areas... in central
Arkansas... Conway... Faulkner... Garland... Grant... Lonoke...
Perry... Pope... prairie... Pulaski... Saline... white and Yell. In
eastern Arkansas... Jackson... Monroe and Woodruff. In north
central Arkansas... Baxter... Boone... Cleburne... Fulton...
Independence... Izard... Marion... Newton... Searcy... sharp...
stone and Van Buren. In southeast Arkansas... Arkansas...
Bradley... Cleveland... Desha... Drew... Jefferson and Lincoln. In
southwest Arkansas... Calhoun... Clark... Dallas... Hot Spring...
Ouachita and Pike. In western Arkansas... Johnson... Logan...
Montgomery... Polk and Scott.

* Until noon CST today

* rain will be heavy at times today. Widespread additional amounts
of one to two inches are expected. This may cause flash
flooding in some areas.

* Vegetation has become mostly dormant... and will not use nearly as
much water as during the growing season. Given this... rain will
not go into the soil as readily... with high water problems
becoming more of a concern.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to
take action if flash flood warnings are issued.

... Lake Wind Advisory remains in effect until 6 PM CST Friday...

A lake Wind Advisory remains in effect until 6 PM CST Friday.

* Winds will increase today... and will remain strong and gusty
through Christmas day.

* South to southeast winds at 15 to 25 mph today will shift to the
west and southwest during the afternoon... and will increase to
25 to 35 mph. Gusts could exceed 40 mph. Given this... a Wind
Advisory may need to be posted for this afternoon through the
overnight hours. West winds at 15 to 25 mph will continue on
Christmas day.

* Windy conditions will create dangerous conditions on area bodies
of water. Small craft will be especially prone to capsizing. If
wind gusts become strong enough... trees and power lines may be
downed in some areas this afternoon and evening.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Boaters will need to exercise extreme caution if they decide to
go out on the water. Remember... due to reduced friction... winds
over open water are stronger than those reported at stations on
land.

... Record daily maximum rainfall set at Little Rock Adams Field...

a record rainfall of 4.60 inch(es) was set at Little Rock Adams
Field yesterday. This breaks the old record of 3.42 set in 1891.