The next two days carry opportunities for light snow and flurries across Arkansas, the National Weather Service said Wednesday.
"When the air gets this cold, it takes very little for snow to fall out of a passing cloud," Warning Coordination Meteorologist John Robinson said in an email. "In general, there could be a dusting in some places each day, and a little more in a few places."
On Thursday through the evening, the northern two-thirds of the state will have the highest chances for snow. The Ouachita Mountains and the Arkansas River Valley could receive up to an inch, Robinson said.
Central and north Arkansas hold the highest chances of snow Friday; some places could receive up to an inch that day, the forecaster added.
In addition, he said, "the longer-range computer models seem pretty enthusiastic about some winter weather in Arkansas early next week, most likely between Monday night and Tuesday night."
EARLIER
Patchy ice left behind from Tuesday's ice storm will be a "big concern" for drivers Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service warned.
The agency said in a statement that drivers should use caution because slick spots are possible, especially on elevated surfaces such as bridges and overpasses.
"Patchy ice on roadways will be a big concern this morning as temperatures remain below freezing in the north and very close to freezing in central portions [of the state]," the weather service said. "Use extreme caution if you must travel this morning."
Freezing fog is also possible, potentially adding a "thin film of ice" to the roads, officials said. Light snow or flurries could fall, too, but it is not expected to accumulate.
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department at 6:30 a.m. reported clear highways around Little Rock but some form of slick conditions on most major roads in roughly the northern third of the state.
A number of schools around the state delayed opening or canceled class altogether, though many in the Little Rock area — including Little Rock and North Little Rock school districts — were set to open on time. Click here for a full list.
Officials say additional power failures are also possible Wednesday as winds pick up, further taxing trees and branches made weak by ice accumulation.
Entergy Arkansas at 6:30 a.m. reported about 38,000 customers in the dark; the number had fallen just below 30,000 by 2 p.m. Garland County was hardest hit, with more than 3,400 in the dark at 2:30 p.m.
At one point Tuesday night, nearly 40,000 Entergy customers were without electricity. The utility said it brought in extra lineman to make repairs, and Gov. Mike Beebe declared an emergency to relieve federal guidelines that restrict hours a lineman can work.
Entergy has said it could take up to three days to get all power restored.
Southwestern Electric Power Co. said it had nearly 800 power failures in Sevier, Howard and Hempstead counties Wednesday morning.