LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — Thursday, Feb. 24
7:30 a.m.
Over 32,000 power outages in the state of Arkansas as of 7:30 a.m.
6 a.m.
Freezing rain continues to fall and we do suspect it to continue through early afternoon. At that point temps will rise above freezing and we'll see a cold rain.
5 a.m.
State wide power outages have risen to over 24,000.
4:15 a.m.
There are over 18,000 customers without power in Arkansas. You can find out more about the outages here.
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A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for a good part of Arkansas tonight and through the day on Thursday. A mixture of freezing rain and sleet is expected to occur, with ice accumulations possible.
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for southern and southcentral Arkansas through Thursday for light ice accumulations.
Overnight, there will be periods of freezing rain and sleet that will move from southwest to northeast across the region with occasional thunder and lightning, which would mean the possibility of heavier precipitation.
Sleet may transition to freezing rain as temperatures aloft warm slightly. Ice accumulations are expected in the .25 to .50 inch range. The heaviest precipitation is likely to occur over east central and northeast Arkansas. Roads are expected to become slick and hazardous.
Heading into Thursday, freezing rain is expected early as it transitions to rain by late morning into early afternoon as warmer air arrives at the surface and aloft.
The rain will end Thursday night and early Friday as a frontal boundary clears the region. Partly cloudy skies return during the day Friday.
To see a list of school closures, click here. The list will be updated routinely through the evening.
Wednesday, Feb. 23
7:00 p.m.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that all State Offices will make the transition to telework on Thursday for those in weather-affected areas. The governor said that poor road conditions influenced the decision and encouraged state employees that have the ability to do telework, to do so.
4:30 p.m.
The winter weather is causing hundreds of flight delays and cancelations around the country, impacting not only those in Arkansas.
According to the Little Rock airport, all remaining departures have been canceled on Wednesday with many arriving flights canceled.
To view a list of delayed and canceled flights, click here.
2:50 p.m.
Traffic has been slowed on I-630 eastbound in Little Rock near exit 3A after a car crash on the interstate.
Crews are on the scene clearing the cars from the area.
The latest traffic conditions can be found at iDriveArkansas.com. Please use caution while driving.
1:00 p.m.
Around 80 Arkansas National Guard soldiers and airmen will help police patrol highways and interstates to assist anybody during the winter weather.
Two teams will be assigned to different Arkansas State Police troops and will consist of five Guardsmen, two Humvees, and communication equipment.
They will be in the Little Rock, Newport, Jonesboro, Forrest City, Fort Smith, Harrison, Clarksville, and Lowell.
12:35 p.m.
Viewer photos from February winter storm
9:30 a.m.
Freezing rain is currently occurring in Hot Springs, with sleet currently in Saline County. Roads in western Arkansas (Polk, Scott, Logan counties) are starting to have issues.
7:30 a.m.
The first round of rain, sleet, and freezing rain has entered western Arkansas. This rain will increase in coverage and continue tracking into the area throughout today.
Temperatures will hover around the freezing mark today, meaning there is a very small margin between a cold rain at 33 degrees and freezing rain at 31 degrees.
Winter storm warnings have been expanded further south to include the entire Little Rock metro area.
4:30 a.m.
As of Wednesday morning winter storm warnings have been expanded further south, now including the Little Rock metro. With weather advisories also extended further south.
Arkansas weather: Winter storm
The chance of freezing rain and sleet will continue to accumulate on the roads and power lines all the way through Thursday night and end by Friday morning.
For central Arkansas, rain may change to freezing rain in the Ouachitas and as far south as Little Rock for a few hours early Thursday morning.
This could lead to light icing on trees and elevated surfaces such as bridges and overpasses.
The depth and strength of the cold air is a tricky forecast to determine and the chance of wintry weather pushing farther south is possible.
Stay tuned to THV11 for the latest and make sure to send your winter weather reports to (501) 376-1111!
