The strongest cold front of the season will push frigid Arctic air as far south as the Gulf of Mexico for Thursday and Friday. The front is expected to arrive in NW Arkansas Wednesday evening with areas of light snow developing in the front’s wake.
The best chance for seeing snowflakes flying will be from 4pm to 8pm.
Temperatures will be near or slightly above freezing as the snow falls. With warm ground temperatures and minor accumulation, widespread traffic impacts are not anticipated.
Snow total estimates are less than an inch across most of the area with around 0.10″ to 0.50″ expected at most.
Wind chill values on Thursday will be brutal in the teens or even single digits in NW Arkansas.
Expect the cold snap to last a few days before warmer temperatures arrive for the weekend. Strong southerly winds will make Saturday feel much colder than the 40s that are in the forecast due to the wind.
In short: Major cold front. Some snow, but not a full blown event. A thaw for the weekend.
-Garrett
