Much of the northern half of Arkansas is expected to see light snowfall mixed with rain today and Friday as cold air moves into the state from the southwest and meets moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
Forecasters at the National Weather Service said some localized areas in northeast Arkansas may receive up to 1 to 2 inches of snow, but because temperatures have been in the 50s and 60s during the week, the ground will likely retain heat and snowfall shouldn't stick.
The upper-level low system moved into Arkansas from Arizona on Wednesday evening, and rain mixed with light snow will fall in southwest Arkansas early this morning, said National Weather Service meteorologist Lance Pyle of North Little Rock.
The system is expected to continue northward, turning to rain as the day continues. As it crosses the Interstate 40 corridor, the system will likely lower temperatures, though, and snow could begin falling north of a line from Little Rock to Pine Bluff late this afternoon.
"The roads should be all right," Pyle said. "We've had warm temperatures this week. Anything that falls will melt quickly."
He said today's low temperature will hover around 32 degrees or slightly above.
The system's strength depends on the cold, said National Weather Service meteorologist Corey Chaskelson of Memphis.
If temperatures dip below what is expected, eastern Arkansas could see an inch or 2 of snowfall by Friday, he said.
"It all depends upon how cold the air gets," Chaskelson said. "If it drops a few degrees, the precipitation may change to more snow."
The system will move out of the state by late Friday, and temperatures will likely climb back into the mid-50s by Saturday, he said.
State Desk on 01/22/2015