Cold front comes in; light snow predicted for central Arkansas

A cold front that has passed through much of north Arkansas will settle into the rest of the state Sunday afternoon, reducing temperatures and whipping up wind to gusts of up to 45 mph, forecasters said. Wintry precipitation is possible for most of north Arkansas as the evening progresses, but no significant accumulation is expected in central Arkansas.

Meanwhile, a wind advisory is in effect for the bulk of the state until 10 p.m., meaning winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 40 to 45 mph are expected, the National Weather Service said. Shortly after 1:30 p.m., Entergy Arkansas was reporting 2,171 power failures across the state; by 4:45 p.m., the number in the dark was down to 638.

Rain is expected to turn to snow by early afternoon in Northwest Arkansas, and in north-central Arkansas by later in the afternoon, weather service meteorologist John Robinson said. The transition from rain to snow could produce a little sleet, he added. The two most northern rows of Arkansas counties will be most heavily affected.

By 4:45 p.m., the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department reported slush on some north Arkansas roads, including around Harrison and Mountain Home.

Winter weather advisories have been issued for Baxter, Benton, Boone, Marion, Newton, Searcy and Washington counties — and accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected, with more possible in the higher-elevation areas to the far north, he said.

Light snow, probably preceded by some sleet, will spread to the state's northeast corner by evening, but accumulations are likely to be low, forecasters said.

West-central, central and east-central Arkansas is expected to see sleet pellets and flurries from the evening into the night, he said. A dusting of snow is possible on the grass in some areas, he said. South Arkansas might see a little sleet or a few flurries later Sunday night.

"Virtually all precipitation will exit the state by dawn Monday," Robinson added.

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