BENTONVILLE — Watching the weather on television will be a must for Tony Davis on Christmas Day.
Davis, streets director for Bentonville, will keep his eye on a storm that is expected to bring rain, sleet and snow to the area. A winter storm warning is in effect for more than two dozen counties in northern and western parts of the state.
At A Glance
Today’s Forecast
Rain is likely before 9 a.m. Sleet is likely between 9 a.m. and noon, then occasional snow in the afternoon. The snow could be heavy at times. The high will be near 36 degrees. Snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 3 inches is possible. Nighttime lows will be near 20 degrees.
Source: National Weather Service
“The timing could be better, but that is part of what we do,” Davis said on Christmas Eve. “We’re prepared. Now we have to wait and see what happens.”
Frankie Guyll, head of the Rogers Street Department, said he expects his Christmas Day festivities to be on hold as the bad weather pours into the area.
“All the trucks are loaded, and we are just waiting,” Guyll said. “When it happens, we’ll be there.”
The Benton County Road Department has stockpiled supplies, refurbished its equipment and seems ready for the onset of winter weather.
Scott Stober, public services administrator for Benton County, said the Road Department prepped in advance for possible Christmas Day snow. Stockpiles of sand and salt mixture are ready in locations in Bentonville, Garfield and Decatur, Stober said.
The county has about 1,400 miles of roads to maintain, but a new winter weather plan has identified about 700 miles as the most heavily traveled and priorities for attention in ice or snow. About 500 miles are paved roads and another 200 miles are gravel, Stober said.
An on-call list has already been prepared and Road Department employees will work shifts, Stober said.
Travelers flying out of Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Highfill today will need to keep an eye on the weather. Travelers will need to check with their airlines to see if their flights have been postponed or canceled.
“Leave plenty of time to get to the airport, but call the airlines first to make sure you flight is still on,” said Scott Van Laningham, airport executive director.