***Update: Snow continues to fall across Northwest Arkansas as the rain changes over with the cold air arriving. Due to the warm temperatures yesterday, timing of snow during daylight, & relatively warm air temperatures the snow is only expected to stick to roads when it’s coming down heavy before melting off of roads. It is expected to accumulate on grassy and elevated surfaces where 1-2″ is likely. Some locations could see up to 3″. The low pressure is deepening and moving east which is causing winds to gust to nearly 40mph this afternoon and this evening.***
(iPIX Featured from Linda Welsh in Bella Vista, AR)
An upper level low pressure system has brought much-needed rain this weekend and will move out late on Sunday.
As the system exits, rain will change to snow as the cold air mixes into the lingering moisture. Accumulations should be light.
Widespread road problems are not expected given the snow will occur during the daytime hours and recent warm weather has warmed the ground.
Rainfall totals have been plentiful; some of the higher rainfall totals have been in SE Oklahoma & West-Central Arkansas where over 2″ of rain has fallen.
Later this afternoon the rain will change over to snow. We may see a few snowflakes in the afternoon, but the best chance will be in the evening across the Ozarks (including Northwest Arkansas). Notice how temperatures are near and above freezing with the chance of snow. This should limit accumulations and travel impacts.
This snow accumulation map from the National Weather Service shows where snow is most likely to accumulate. Although 1-2″ are possible, due to warm ground temperatures and near/above freezing air temperatures it should be confined to elevated/grassy surfaces.
Futurecast shows all of the precipitation out of the area by midnight.
Overnight lows tonight will be rather cold for March standards and a hard freeze is likely. Expect lows tonight in Northwest Arkansas in the teens and in the 20s for the River Valley.
-Garrett
