A cold front is surging south through Arkansas. The entire state is under some type of winter weather advisory or warning. Plan on dangerous travel conditions and possible power outages.
At his weekly news briefing Wednesday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said the state should be prepared for potential winter weather that may start late Wednesday into Thursday.
While most of the state is under a Winter Weather Warning, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the southernmost counties from 6 a.m. Thursday until midnight Thursday.
In Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Desha, and Drew counties, expect ice accumulations up to two-tenths of an inch. Some sleet/snow will also be possible with a dusting of a one-half inch expected on top of the ice.
Elsewhere in Southeast Arkansas, Cleveland, Lincoln, Dallas, Jefferson, and Arkansas counties, are under a Winter Storm Warning from midnight Wednesday night until midnight Thursday. Expect ice accumulations of one-quarter to one-half inch with locally higher amounts possible. Some sleet/snow will also be possible with a dusting of a one-half inch expected on top of the ice.
Freezing rain greater than 0.25 inch can bring down large tree limbs and power lines, impacts will be greater with higher totals.
In preparation for the winter storm, Hutchinson announced he will be prepositioning eight national guard teams around the state for the winter response. He also signed an Executive Order that will allocate $250,000 in anticipation of recovery efforts.
“I encourage everyone to look at travel plans and minimize those if there is an ice event,” Hutchinson said, “Be prepared and have a basic emergency supply kit along with a family emergency plan.”
