NWS warns of dangerously cold wind chills
Wintry precipitation possible, NWS says
The Hot Springs area could see wintry precipitation this weekend, according to the National Weather Service, but the bigger impact will be colder air.
In a special weather statement released Thursday afternoon, the Weather Service said precipitation, if any falls at all, will be light with minimal accumulations mainly Saturday night and Sunday. “With continued cold temperatures in place, however, it will not take much to cause localized problems on area roadways,” it said.
The biggest impact, the Weather Service said, will be much colder air moving into the state.
“Northeast winds of 10-15 mph, along with the cold air,
will create dangerous wind chill values late Saturday night and Sunday morning. Coldest wind chill values are expected to fall to near or a little below zero in north central and northeast Arkansas. It will be colder on Sunday night and Monday morning, with the coldest wind chill values ranging from zero to -10 over northern Arkansas, and in the single digits over the south. Wind chills at or a little below zero will be possible in the Little Rock metro area early Monday morning,” the Weather Service said.
A warming center opened Thursday at First United Methodist Church, with the threat of dropping temperatures imminent, and an additional 24-hour center will open at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Sunday at 5 p.m.
“We have done this probably 10 years,” said the Rev. CB Baker. “We staff it all ourselves with wonderful assistance from First Baptist Church, as well.”
The center will provide supper and breakfast and snacks throughout the day, Baker said, and will remain open through at least Tuesday.
“It’s hardest to fill those late late hours with volunteers, but we have done that already,” Baker said. “A lot of folks who attend church here really like that we do this whenever needed. Friends of people in the church always bring blankets, hats and coats — there are so many people beyond the ones I know who help.”
Temperatures will drop into the single digits across northern parts of the state, with a low of 15 degrees in Hot Springs Monday night. Wind chill values will drop to single digits nearly statewide.
Andrea Sellers, disaster program specialist for the southwest region of the Greater Arkansas Chapter of the Red Cross, said she encourages interested parties to contact her at 623-9321 about volunteering at the FUMC warming center.
“We are always in need of disaster volunteers, especially during the holidays,” she said Wednesday. “Anyone interested is encouraged to apply.”
Cold air will remain in place well into next week, and it is quite likely that temperatures will remain below freezing from as much as two to five days in portions of the state, according to the Weather Service.
“Frost bite and hypothermia can occur if precautions are not taken. Make sure you wear a hat and gloves, especially if you venture outside on Saturday night and Sunday morning and Sunday night and Monday morning,” it said.
With the extended period of subfreezing weather possible, consider bringing outdoor pets inside. Check on seniors and those who may not have adequate means of indoor heating, it said.