Arkansas under winter weather advisory through Tuesday

Arkansas – Much of Arkansas remains under a winter weather advisory until early Tuesday morning, as a mix of rain, snow and ice raises travel concerns, according to the National Weather Service.

“Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations up to a few tenths of an inch, primarily across northern to central Arkansas,” the advisory stated. Ice accumulations from a light glazing up to one tenth of an inch could develop mainly across west, central, east and northeast Arkansas.

The advisory includes several counties across the state, such as Pulaski, Lonoke, Prairie, Garland, Baxter, Fulton, Sharp, Jefferson and Izard counties.

Forecasters say isolated areas could see higher accumulations approaching two tenths of an inch. The advisory remains in place until 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Colby Pope, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in North Little Rock, said forecasters don’t expect widespread travel disruptions, though isolated impacts are possible.

“Bridges and overpasses are going to be the name of the game for areas we’re worried about,” Pope said Monday morning.

The forecaster advised midday and evening drivers to “pack their patience and give themselves plenty of time to get where they are going, especially on those elevated areas.”

The Little Rock Metro area should see less than an inch of ice accumulation as rain, freezing rain and sleet move into the region starting around mid-morning, he said.

“Not looking at much, but it doesn’t take much. Even the lightest glaze can have ramifications,” Pope said.

Surface temperatures will determine whether residents experience freezing rain, rain or sleet, and the precipitation type will shift periodically throughout the day until about 10 p.m., when the system should exit the Metro area, Pope said.

“What falls will stay around until Tuesday morning, when it gets above freezing,” the forecaster said. “That’s why the advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday.”

Pope added that this type of winter weather event is typical for this time of year in Arkansas.