Light freezing drizzle possible in parts of Arkansas overnight, forecasters say

5:25 P.M. UPDATE:

Moisture is set to increase during the overnight hours into Thursday, bringing the possibility of light freezing drizzle to parts of Arkansas, the National Weather Service says.

Any precipitation that falls after midnight and into the early morning hours is expected to be light and brief, the agency's North Little Rock office said.

Areas along Interstate 40 and southward could see a thin glaze of ice on exposed surfaces such as bridges and overpasses.

Later in the day Thursday and into Friday morning, forecasters say a dusting of snow is possible across much of the state. Another round of light wintry weather is possible Friday afternoon and into the evening hours.

The city of Little Rock will open four warming centers Friday as winter weather and cold temperatures affect central Arkansas, with two set to stay open Saturday, according to a news release.

Little Rock's Public Works Operations division is equipped with 16 trucks that can disperse a sand-salt mixture on snow-covered roads in the city as necessary, officials said. If up to 1 inch of snow or more falls, crews will salt bridges and overpasses and will place barricades on roads dangerous for travel.

Additionally, the greens at the War Memorial Golf Course, Hindman Golf Course and Rebsamen Park's 18-Hole Championship Golf Course will be covered, likely through Monday.

Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

— Brandon Riddle

3:50 P.M. UPDATE:

The state Highway and Transportation Department is bracing for the likelihood of light wintry weather later this week in Arkansas.

Spokesman Danny Straessle said the agency's fleet of trucks are already in place, and crews will work in two 12-hour shifts starting Thursday morning to prepare bridges and overpasses for frozen precipitation.

The forecast calls for only a dusting of snow across much of the state Thursday night and into Friday, though any frozen accumulation on roadways could affect travel.

"We're basically waiting to see what's going to happen. Some of the forecast models have been all over the place," Straessle said, adding that the Highway Department is "prepared for anything and everything."

Highway officials cautioned that some of the precipitation will likely fall before crews can treat certain elevated roads in the state.

"If you get caught out in it when it starts, the important thing is not to panic," Straessle said, asking that travelers take it slow, leave space and get to their destination in a timely, safe manner.

Motorists are also advised to visit the Highway Department's IDriveArkansas travel map for updates on road conditions and slick spots.

— Brandon Riddle

EARLIER STORY:

Forecasters are increasingly confident much of Arkansas will see snowfall beginning Thursday night into Friday, but accumulations will likely be light, the National Weather Service in Little Rock said Wednesday.

A dusting of snow is possible across much of the state with light accumulations of under an inch more likely in central and southern regions, the agency said in a statement.

"With cold air in place, confidence is growing that at least snow in the form of flurries will be seen across Arkansas in the coming days," the weather service said.

The light wintry precipitation is possible in two rounds, the weather service said, with the first coming Thursday into Friday and producing a "dusting to perhaps a tenth of an inch accumulation" of snow in parts of the state. Then a stronger system is expected Friday afternoon into evening.

"Precipitation is expected to be more widespread with this disturbance and will affect much of central and southern Arkansas," the weather service said, noting snow amounts will still "remain less than an inch" in those areas.

Impacts are expected to be minimal, but preparations were underway for the potential brush with wintry weather. The city of Little Rock tweeted out a photo of its fleet of snow plows.

"We're ready, winter," the caption said.

— Gavin Lesnick