Tired of the snow and ice? It may not be over, according to National Weather Service, which issued a winter weather advisory from noon Wednesday to noon Thursday.
Fort Smith is under an ice storm warning for the same time frame. Forecasters in Tulsa, Okla., said there is a 20% chance of rain after 3 p m. Wednesday with a high near 33, according to the weather service.
On Wednesday night, rain likely before midnight in the River Valley, then rain or freezing rain is likely afterward. The chance of precipitation is 70%. There could up to 0.3 of an inch of ice. The low will be 31, according to the weather service.
The chance of more winter weather in Northwest Arkansas could come Wednesday night. The area was stung by sleet Monday and Tuesday.
There is a chance of snow before 8 p.m. Wednesday night, then a chance of freezing rain until 3 a.m. with a low of 23. The chance of precipitation is 20%, according to the weather service.
Thursday calls for cloudy skies and a high near 38.
Interstate 49 remained ice covered from the Missouri state line to Springdale, then with patchy ice to Fort Smith on Wednesday morning, according to the website idrivearkansas.
U.S. 412 from Siloam Springs to Springdale was ice covered Wednesday morning.
Adam Moorman, a manager with AutoZone located on the highway in Siloam Springs, said the road had cleared some by noon.
Moorman said AutoZone has been busy the last two days selling things like de-icer and wiper blades.
Dennis Boling, owner of Jim’s Razorback Pizza in Gentry, said the store was busy delivering orders at noon Wednesday. The business was closed Tuesday and only open for a bit Monday, he said.
“The main roads are clear, and the side streets are slushy, but getting better,” he said.
Deliveries were to families who had school-age children at homes or those who still could not get out on the roads, he said.
Area schools were either closed or had online learning days Wednesday.
The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville campus, the University of Arkansas Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas Community College locations also were closed Wednesday.
Benton County officials saw some improvement on the asphalt roads on the west side and central parts of the county on Wednesday, but slick spots remained. The east side, especially around Beaver Lake, had improved but were still very slick. Road crews will mainly work on the secondary roads Wednesday, said Melody Kwok, county communications director.
“Road crews will continue to come in overnight if we get the forecasted next round of precipitation,” Kwok said. “We will have more crews come in during Thursday to clear the roads.”
Alex English at Northwest National Airport in Highfill said about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday the runway was open and operating, but there still were weather related cancellations or delays.