BATESVILLE, Ark. — Following the major winter storm earlier this week, Arkansas faces yet another surge of Arctic air this weekend, bringing dangerously cold temperatures, wind chills as low as -10 degrees in northern areas, and a Cold Weather Advisory from the National Weather Service.
The quick influx of Arctic air is expected to arrive Friday night and persist through Saturday and Saturday night, Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2026. Wind chill values could drop to around 0 degrees in central Arkansas and near -10 degrees in the north, according to forecasts from the Arkansas Storm Team and the NWS Little Rock office.
Light precipitation is possible overnight Friday into Saturday, with a chance of scattered flurries or a brief wintry mix across the state. Accumulations, if any, would be minimal—a dusting to a few tenths of an inch favored in north-central to east-central regions.
The prolonged cold will limit melting of any remaining snow or ice from the previous storm, increasing the risk of black ice on rural roads, neighborhood streets, bridges, and shaded areas due to repeated thaw-freeze cycles. Primary highways have been mostly cleared, but secondary routes may remain hazardous.
The bitterly cold conditions raise concerns for frostbite, hypothermia, and travel safety, especially with wind chills making it feel much colder than the actual air temperature. Residents are advised to dress in layers, limit time outdoors, check on vulnerable neighbors, and avoid unnecessary travel.
Utilities like Entergy continue monitoring for potential impacts from the cold snap, including higher energy demands. The National Weather Service urges everyone to stay informed through local broadcasts, weather.gov, or emergency alerts.
In Independence County and the Batesville area, where temperatures are forecast to remain well below freezing, officials recommend preparing for the chill by stocking essentials and ensuring heating systems are in good working order. This latest Arctic plunge follows closely on the heels of the Jan. 23-26 storm, underscoring the persistent wintry pattern across the region.
