TEXARKANA — Residents across the Texarkana area should prepare for a significant winter weather event beginning Friday and lasting through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Shreveport.
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the entire region, with the potential for substantial snowfall and dangerous ice accumulation that could make travel nearly impossible and lead to widespread power outages.
The winter storm is expected to develop Friday morning and intensify through Saturday, with the heaviest precipitation falling Saturday. Computer models show the system lingering into Sunday morning before finally moving out.
For areas along and north of Interstate 30, snow is expected to be the primary concern, with accumulations of 6-10 inches possible. However, the Texarkana metro area sits in a critical zone where the forecast becomes more complex and potentially more dangerous.
“We’re looking at widespread accumulations of around 0.10 inches of ice, but some locations could see significantly more,” explained forecasters. “Even a tenth of an inch of ice can make roads extremely dangerous, and a quarter-inch can bring down tree limbs and power lines.”
Total ice accumulation through early next week could reach 0.25 to 0.30 inches in the Texarkana area, with higher amounts possible depending on the exact track of the storm.
Wind chill values are forecast to drop to near zero degrees Saturday, creating potentially life-threatening conditions for anyone stranded or without heat. The combination of ice accumulation on power lines and tree branches, along with the weight of heavy snow, makes power outages likely. Some outages could be prolonged. Elevated roadways, bridges, and overpasses will become slick first and will be especially hazardous. Road closures are possible, and travel is expected to be degraded well into next week.
With the storm expected to last through the weekend, residents should anticipate potential impacts extending into early next week. School districts and businesses may face closures or delays Monday as crews work to clear roads and restore power.