Winter weather advisory issued for 37 counties; up to 2 inches of snow possible in central Arkansas

6 P.M. UPDATE:

The National Weather Service has expanded its winter weather advisory to include five counties in eastern Arkansas.

Those counties with an advisory in effect until 6 p.m. Friday are Crittenden, Cross, Lee, Phillips and St. Francis.

As of 6 p.m., 37 Arkansas counties were under an advisory, meaning wintry precipitation could result in deteriorating travel conditions.

5:05 P.M. UPDATE:

Central Arkansas, forecast to receive the highest amount of wintry precipitation, will begin to see snowflakes fall between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

In western Arkansas, snow is expected to start around midnight Thursday. Meanwhile, eastern Arkansas will see its share of wintry weather starting between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Friday, forecasters say.

The snowfall is expected to taper off statewide by the afternoon hours Friday.

Cities in central Arkansas such as Little Rock are forecast to receive up to 2 inches of snow. Surrounding areas to the east and west are likely to see up to 1 inch, the weather service says.

Motorists planning to travel Friday morning are advised to check the state Highway and Transportation Department's IDriveArkansas map for updated road conditions.

Check back with Arkansas Online for the latest school closings and updates on winter weather as it affects the state.

3:55 P.M. UPDATE:

Leaders of the Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pulaski County Special school districts as well as from the Catholic Schools of Arkansas will meet at about 4 a.m. Friday to decide about school closings or delays due to winter weather.

The North Little Rock district said on Facebook that it will post information on district and school sites and social media as well as use auto-calls to inform parents when a decision is made.

2:30 P.M. UPDATE:

Thirty-two counties in central and western portions of Arkansas are now included in a winter weather advisory, ahead of a system that is expected to bring light snowfall by the end of Friday.

That advisory, in effect until 3 p.m. Friday, includes cities such as Little Rock, North Little Rock, Hot Springs, Fort Smith, Pine Bluff and Conway.

The National Weather Service in North Little Rock said up to 2 inches of snow could fall overnight and through the day Friday in central and western sections of the state, with isolated areas potentially seeing higher amounts.

Forecasters say the brunt of precipitation will likely fall during the early morning hours, right before motorists prepare to travel to work and school.

1:25 P.M. UPDATE:

The National Weather Service’s Tulsa office has issued a winter weather advisory for three counties in western Arkansas.

Arkansas counties with an advisory in effect until 10 a.m. Friday are Crawford, Franklin and Sebastian.

Meteorologists say up to 2 inches of snow is possible between midnight Thursday and Friday morning in cities such as Fort Smith.

Wind chill values are likely to reach the single digits during the overnight hours in that area of the state, according to the weather service.

EARLIER STORY:

Up to 1 inch of snow is possible in parts of central Arkansas, including Little Rock, by Friday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

In its latest outlook, the agency’s North Little Rock office said accumulating snowfall will primarily be seen in areas south of Interstate 40.

A dusting of snow is possible overnight into Friday morning in surrounding portions of Arkansas at a time when temperatures are right for wintry precipitation.

"Light snow is expected to develop west of Arkansas early tonight and eventually spread eastward into Arkansas later tonight and Friday," according to the latest outlook.

Forecasters say there is still a degree of uncertainty regarding just how much snow, if any, could fall.

Highs across the northern half of the state will be in the 30s Thursday, while areas south of Hot Springs are likely to see temperatures in the low to mid-40s.

On Friday, highs are expected to be in the upper 20s and lower 30s across much of the state as another round of wintry weather makes its way through central and south Arkansas.

As of Thursday morning, a winter weather advisory had not been issued in Arkansas.