UPDATE: 10 a.m., Dec. 22, 2022: The White River Now region of Arkansas is under a Winter Weather Advisory until 9 p.m. tonight, and a Wind Chill Warning until 12 p.m.
The National Weather Service (NWS) says parts of northern Arkansas could see up to two inches of snow today. The NWS says dangerously cold wind chills could be as low as 25 below zero as the Arctic cold front moves across the state.
Travel could be hazardous, so drivers should slow down and use caution. (To check road conditions throughout the state, visit Idrivearkansas.com.) The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. (Scroll down for a guide on dressing in extreme conditions from the NWS.)
Snow and freezing drizzle is expected to begin before 2 p.m., with only snow likely after 3 p.m. However, little or no ice accumulation is expected. An inch of snow accumulation could occur, but the wind chill values will be as low as -4 this afternoon. Wind chill values are forecast to be -20 Thursday night and Friday. (Click here for access to the National Weather Service’s Little Rock office.)
The warming trend begins Saturday as the high is expected to creep back up to 27. Christmas Day, the high should be near 33. And by Monday, the area should have partly sunny skies and a high of 40.
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Some area organizations will offer shelter for the cold with warming centers. In Batesville, First United Methodist Church will have a warming center available, according to Region 8 News. (The Jonesboro media outlet has posted a list of other warming centers throughout the region here.)
The following Independence County Senior Citizens Program locations can also be used as warming centers during extreme cold advisory warnings:
Batesville: 1590 E. College, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Newark: 130 14th St., Monday and Wednesday, 11 a.m -1 p.m.
Oil Trough: 50 North Main St., Tuesday and Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
For more information, call the main office at (870) 793-8821 or check the Independence County Senior Citizens Program’s Facebook page by clicking here. The locations will be closed for the holidays on Friday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 2.
In Sharp County, the Hardy Gym at 203 School Street and the Cherokee Village United Methodist Church at 21 Otter Drive are scheduled to be open from Thursday through Christmas Day.
In Lawrence County, the court house at 315 W. Main St. will be open.
And don’t forget to keep animals safe in the cold. The Humane Society of the United States recommends five ways to protect pets in winter. Click here for their tips.
To share information about other available warming centers through the White River Now media family, email us at news@whiterivernow.com.
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Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
