Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri are in for a wild ride weather wise according to National Weather Service forecaster Thomas Jones.
Currently, a wind advisory is in effect through Jan. 9 at 6 p.m.
From gusty and sustained winds of 20 to 30 m.p.h. and wind gusts of 40 early this week to frigid temperatures in the later part of the week, the new year is off to an interesting start, one for which the public is urged to be prepared for.
Check heat sources, ensure outdoor pets have sufficient shelter and check on neighbors and elderly residents.
“We’re going to see the cloudy skies give way to rain and thunderstorms this afternoon and then it will hold through Tuesday morning. We’ll see the winds really crank up,” Jones said. “As the storm system moves by us, we’ll see winds switch to the northwest and start getting that cold air in on Tuesday depending on your location if you’re in North Arkansas it looks like it will remain rain but if you’re in Southern Missouri, it looks like there could be some snow before everything moves out.”
After the initial storm system moves out, Jones said the midweek weather will be milder with highs in the upper 40s and lows in the 20s, but frigid cold will make its way into the area toward the end of the work week and into the weekend.
“We’ll have a brief lull in weather midweek. As we move into Thursday night and Friday, we’ll see additional showers and the big story will be the cold moving in this weekend. Lows in the teens and highs right around freezing to follow the rain,” Jones said.
Beginning Jan. 13 and spanning through Jan. 17, highs will struggle to reach above freezing temperatures with lows in the teens each night.
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