ARKANSAS, USA — A winter storm warning for much of the state has been downgraded to a winter weather advisory, meaning only light precipitation amounts are expected through Friday morning.
The advisory remains in effect until 8 a.m. Friday morning.
The storm system will clear the state, with skies clearing up and temperatures warming into the mid-30s by noon Friday. This means a good thaw should occur for the rest of Friday with a return to normal Saturday.
Temperatures will be cold this weekend, but with adequate sunshine, it should still be a nice one.
Central Arkansas woke up to a blanket of 1 to 2" of sleet in many locations Thursday morning. Most of the state was spared from the significant ice accumulation of more than .25". This has primarily been a winter storm of sleet with a hint of freezing rain.
The highest accumulation of ice caused by freezing rain was from Pine Bluff and south and east.
Temperatures will stay below freezing for the rest of the day and another batch of light sleet or freezing rain will move into the area this afternoon. This could produce additional light amounts of sleet or ice accumulation.
From the Little Rock metro and to the north and west the precipitation could end as light snow this afternoon and evening as the last piece of the storm swings through.
A dusting to 1" of snow on top of the ice is possible.
Most of the winter weather will be out of the region late tonight or early Friday morning.
The biggest concern will be as soon as the sun sets any slush or standing water will freeze quickly. Back roads and untreated secondary streets will ice up through the night.
Any roads that have slush or sleet on them now will stay slick to dangerous through Friday morning.
After the precipitation moves out of the area Friday morning temperatures are expected to rise above freezing Friday afternoon for most of central Arkansas with some sunshine later in the day. The mercury will likely stay below freezing in the higher terrain, especially if there is snow cover.
Saturday morning black ice will still be a threat in many spots.
By Saturday afternoon the road conditions across the region will greatly improve with mainly wet roads.
Here's what we know about winter weather in Arkansas
The THV11 Weather Team will keep you updated on the winter weather potential so be sure to check back for updates.
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