Warmer weather expected as slippery roads persist across Northwest Arkansas

Maria Aleman, in brown, and Geoff Braga both with the Bentonville Parks and Recreation Department work Tuesday, January 31, 2023 to clear the parking spaces around the Bentonville Sqaure of snow, ice and sleet.  (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Spencer Tirey)
Maria Aleman, in brown, and Geoff Braga both with the Bentonville Parks and Recreation Department work Tuesday, January 31, 2023 to clear the parking spaces around the Bentonville Sqaure of snow, ice and sleet. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Spencer Tirey)

Northwest Arkansas drivers had to deal with icy roads Tuesday morning after sleet pummeled the area Monday.

A gradual warmup, though, is expected by the end of the week.

Roads conditions had improved a little by Tuesday afternoon after police reported slick conditions across Benton and Washington counties.

Sleet mixed with freezing rain began again in region the around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. There was a chance of snow as well before the system gradually leaves the area, according to the National Weather Service in Tulsa.

Wednesday’s forecast calls for mostly cloudy with a high near 33 degrees, according to the weather service.

There is a slight chance of freezing rain before 9 p.m. Wednesday night, then a chance of rain or freezing rain between 9 p.m. and midnight with a chance of freezing rain after that. The chance of precipitation is 30%. It will be mostly cloudy with a low around 27 Wednesday night.

Area high temperatures will reach into the 40s Thursday through Saturday and into the mid-50s Sunday and Monday, according to the weather service.

Alex English with Northwest National Aiport in Highfill said at noon Tuesday the airport was seeing weather related delays and cancellations.

“Our operations team is working around the clock to keep the runway cleared with both liquid and solid de-icing solutions, while airlines handle the de-icing of the aircraft,” English said. “We are encouraging our passengers to check with their airline on flight status before they head to the airport.”

Interstate 49 from the Missouri state line south to Sebastian County was ice covered Tuesday according to the website idrivearkansas.com.

There was a wreck reported at mile marker 66 on I-49 in the north lanes in Washington County, according to idrivearkansas.com.

U.S. 412 from Siloam Springs to Springdale also was ice covered, according to idrivearkansas.com.

Benton County’s paved roads were slippery, but passable, on Tuesday morning, said Melody Kwok, county communications director.

Cpl. Adam McInnis with the Bentonville Police Department said there were issues with drivers getting their vehicles stuck during the morning commute.

Jeff Crowder, road superintendent for the Washington County Road Department, said crews are putting out deicing agents and ploughing the primary roads Tuesday morning.

Washington County roads are slowly getting better, but Crowder recommended people stay home and not drive unless it was necessary.

Area schools were either closed or had virtual learning days Tuesday.

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville campus, the University of Arkansas Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas Community College locations also were closed Tuesday.

No power outages were reported in Benton and Washington counties Tuesday, according to the website poweroutage.us.

This is the second weather pattern that has moved across the area in the last week. It was more snow intensive last week as Fayetteville reported 8 inches of snow and Bentonville and Rogers received about 4 inches of snow, according to the weather service.


Mike Jones can be reached by email at [email protected]. Tracy M. Neal can be reached by email at [email protected] or Twitter @NWATracy.

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