A Monday morning winter storm made the road slick for the Monday morning commute, causing some accidents and closing several schools for the day.
The storm is supposed to transition to sleet, freezing drizzle and drizzle later today. Pete Snyder, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tulsa, said he wasn't aware of the winter weather causing any serious problems.
4:49 p.m. update The National Weather Service has cancelled the winter weather advisory for Northwest Arkansas.
Precipitation is mostly drizzle and most areas are now above freezing, according to the cancellation notice.
12:34 p.m. update Bentonville Transportation Director Mike Churchwell said city streets were "mushing up" by noon Monday.
With freezing rain and cold temperatures in the forecast Monday night, Churchwell said the streets could be icy Tuesday morning.
“If it is, we'll be out with sand and salt hitting all of the major spots,” he said.
Parks and Recreation workers were also out early Monday clearing sidewalks and assisting other departments, said Parks Director David Wright. He said he anticipated higher temperatures on Tuesday would melt snow and ice on trails.
“We’ll see what happens tonight and tomorrow. I think Mother Nature is going to do it herself,” Wright said.
Churchwell said Monday's event was easy to deal with compared to last year's record-breaking snow storm.
“If this is all we get, we're happy with that,” Churchwell said.
12:18 p.m. update The National Weather Service has cancelled the winter storm warning for Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll counties and extended a winter weather advisory for those counties until 6 p.m.
Fast-moving precipitation has moved into the area and is falling either as rain or freezing rain depending on surface temperatures, according to the advisory. The advisory predicts less than a tenth of an inch of ice accumulation until 6 p.m.
11:34 a.m. update The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith has cancelled classes today and tonight, according to the university's website.
A performance of "Come Fly Away" has not been cancelled.
11:23 a.m. update The National Weather Service in Tulsa released updated snowfall totals.
Garfield: 3 inches
Springdale: 3 inches
Bella Vista: 2 inches
Rogers: 2 inches
Winslow: 1 inch
10:39 a.m. update A chicken truck rolled over on Arkansas 71 near Jenny Lind about an hour ago, said Chicago Chandler, a dispatcher with the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office.
The accident blocked traffic, but the truck has been flipped back upright and traffic should be better, Chandler said.
She said about 50 chickens were thrown out of the truck.
10:18 a.m. update
Benton County reports that both lanes of Arkansas 72 east of Price Coffee road are closed because of accidents.
9:57 a.m. update
Capt. Mike Jones of the Benton County Sheriff's Office said there haven't been any serious accidents from the snow.
"We haven't worked that many accidents yet. We have had some vehicles in ditches, but they didn't receive serious damages or injuries," Jones said.
Jones said the Arkansas State Police has worked a number of accidents on Interstate 540.
"I know the State Police have been busy because they asked for our help on Arkansas 94," Jones said.
Several vehicles were stranded on a hill on Arkansas 94, Jones added, snarling traffic in the area.
"The roads are slick and hazardous," Jones said. "Drive slow, use caution, keep plenty of distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you and if you don't have to be out driving, stay home."
9:43 a.m. update
Snow caused slicked roads and several school closures Monday morning in Northwest Arkansas.
Pete Snyder, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tulsa, said snowfall totals in Northwest Arkansas ranged from half an inch in Fayetteville and Farmington to about three inches in Garfield and Springdale.
Snyder said he wasn't aware of any serious problems caused by the storm.
The National Weather Service forecasts that the snow will transition to sleet or freezing rain later in the day, and temperatures will rise well above freezing on Tuesday.
Snyder said he didn't expect any problems from ice accumulation.