Winter storm watches, warnings cover much of state

The National Weather Service on Monday issued this map of possible snow accumulations in a winter storm expected to hit Arkansas on Christmas.
The National Weather Service on Monday issued this map of possible snow accumulations in a winter storm expected to hit Arkansas on Christmas.

— The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches and warnings for a large swath of Arkansas as a Christmas Day system looks to drop significant snow on the state.

The weather service said some parts of Arkansas could see up to 10 inches of snow.

Little Rock is under a winter storm watch that also includes Hot Springs, Arkadelphia, Malvern and Murfreesboro. The event is expected to begin as rain before shifting to snow in the late afternoon and evening hours. Those areas could see 2 to 4 inches of snow.

The totals are likely to be even greater in some other parts of the state. A winter storm warning is in effect for more than two dozen counties in north and west parts of the state. Accumulations there could reach the 6- to 10-inch range, forecasters said.

The weather service said the storms would create problems.

"Travel conditions will be treacherous ... as roadways become ice and snow covered," the agency said in a statement.

Upcoming Events