Twice as ice for Texark-k-kana

Twin Cities’ single-digit temps coldest in 29 years

A morning low of 6 degrees Wednesday in Texarkana was the coldest temperature seen in the city since 1989.

Texarkana saw a frigid temperature of minus 1 on Dec. 23, 1989, according to National Weather Service records.

The snowpack, combined with arctic high pressure centered over the region, resulted in the extreme low, according to the NWS. Even during the ice storm of 2000, temperatures did not get this low.

Temperatures did not rise above freezing Wednesday and were expected to fall into the lower to middle teens overnight. Bridges and overpasses will continue to have slick spots this morning.

A hard freeze warning is in effect until 9 a.m. for the entire Four States Area.

However, the freezing temperatures will give way to a warm-up.

High temperatures are expected to reach 61 on Saturday and 65 on Sunday. Lows should be about 56 on Saturday night and drop to 40 on Sunday night.

“The winds are going to shift,” said Aaron Stevens, a meteorologist with the NWS Shreveport Office.

Stevens said the cold air that blew in from the north should move east and be replaced by warmer gulf air that will raise temperatures above normal levels.

“We have been very far below normal with our temps, and now we will have above-average highs,”

Stevens said.

He said average temperatures for Texarkana this time of year are mid-50s during the day and mid-30s at night.

Thunderstorms also will return to the area Sunday afternoon into Sunday night. There is a possibility of heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds.

Photos submitted by Chuck Phillips Ice forms mysterious cave-like shapes on logs Wednesday morning at Phillips Forest Products sawmill in DeKalb, Texas. The logs were sprayed with water to protect them from drying out.