Arkansas Blanketed in Snow: A Winter Storm Brings Extensive Snowfall
As the winter storm swept through Arkansas on Thursday and continued into Friday, the state was left blanketed in a thick layer of snow. The heavy snowfall, which began around 2 p.m. in the Little Rock metro area, reached some parts of the state with nearly 15 inches of accumulation, making it a significant winter weather event.
Snow Accumulation Across Arkansas
– Central and Northern Arkansas: These regions saw the heaviest snowfall, with areas around Little Rock receiving between 6 to 10 inches of snow. Northern parts of the state, from Fayetteville to Jonesboro, were forecast to get anywhere from 5 to 7 inches.
– Southern Arkansas: The southern parts of the state, including areas around Pine Bluff and Fordyce, received relatively less snow, with accumulations ranging from 3 to 5 inches. Far southern regions such as El Dorado and Monticello saw little to no snow.
– Ouachita Mountains: This area was particularly impacted, with forecasters warning of “dangerous or impossible driving conditions.”
Impact on Daily Life
The extensive snowfall caused significant disruptions to daily life. The Arkansas Department of Transportation reported slow traffic on major highways like Interstates 30 and 40, while several crashes were reported, particularly on I-40 north of Conway. Local authorities urged drivers to stay off the roads as much as possible to ensure safety.
Power Outages and Emergency Response
Although power outages were relatively minimal, with only a few isolated incidents reported, the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management activated its State Emergency Operations Center to Level 1. Emergency Management staff worked closely with the National Weather Service and local emergency responders to coordinate relief efforts, mobilizing 140 Arkansas National Guardsmen to assist stranded motorists and provide support where needed.
Forecast Updates
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service emphasized that the storm was forecasted to taper off by mid-day Friday in western parts of the state. However, central and eastern areas were expected to continue seeing significant snowfall throughout Friday evening. The forecast updates will be refined as the storm progresses[4].
The heavy snowfall and mixed wintry precipitation have left Arkansas residents dealing with challenging winter conditions, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and caution during such weather events.
