After a crazy weekend thawing is finally starting to take place across the state. Temperatures today will make it into the 50's. Overnight temps will fall back below freezing. Thursday and Friday low pressure will move across the state bringing chances for more rain. This weekend looks dry with temperatures in the 40's.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

The weather outside surely is frightful and it appears that it will get worse before it gets better. Snow is still on the ground in most locations north of I-40 with heavier accumulations along the Arkansas/Missouri border. Tonight, the clouds will continue to clear as high pressure builds in. Temperatures will dip into the teens across White County. Tomorrow temperatures will struggle to get above the freezing mark. Wednesday will not be much different with morning lows in the teens and highs in the upper 20's. A storm system will be making its way into the state very early Thursday morning, bringing a significant chance for snow Thursday. The snow should come to an end by the evening hours. Snow will not be the only factor with this system. The cold air behind it will be brutal. Some models are indicating temperatures near zero in the northern part of the state Friday morning. Friday will be bitterly cold as well with highs struggling to break 20 degrees. Abundant sunshine returns for the weekend with slightly warmer temperatures. Still all in all, this week looks to be one of the coldest we've seen in a long time here in central Arkansas.

T.S. Ida

Meet the ninth named storm of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Tropical Storm Ida. Ida is 165 miles SSW of Pensacola, Fla. traveling North at 18 mph. Ida's maximum winds are sustained at 70 mph. Ida is expected to make landfall between Mobile Bay, Ala. and Pensacola, Fla. sometime tomorrow morning. By Wednesday morning Ida will be a depression. She will travel back out to sea by Thursday morning. Heavy rain and strong winds will be associated with Ida. Tropical Storm Warnings have been posted from Grand Isle, Louisiana to Tallahassee, Florida.

Rain holds out

Good evening. As Tropical Storm Ida churns in the Gulf of Mexico, she is influencing our weather here in the Natural State. Tonight expect clouds and a case of the "muggies", with a slight chance for a stray shower. Tomorrow we will clear out significantly with temperatures in the lower 70's. Ida will keep a cold front far enough north that rain and cooler temps won't make it into the state. So sunny skies will be the rule for the rest of the week. We could see our next chance for rain by the weekend. Have a great week!~Stephen

A sunny weekend, then more rain!

Good evening! Much of Arkansas saw overnight temps drop into the 30's and 40's. A few places even recorded below freezing temperatures. Some places will drop into the 30's again tonight, but here in White County we'll be in the lower 40's. The weekend looks sunny and comfortable with temps in the 70's. Weather for the final Bison football game of the season looks superb! A cold front will move through the state Monday. Rain will be likely Monday and Tuesday. Enjoy your weekend!~Stephen

Rain...when?

Good evening! We saw another gorgeous day across the metro with temps topping out in the mid 70's. Another weak cold front will move through the area tonight, dropping our temps into the upper 30's and lower 40's. The rest of the week and weekend look good, with highs in the upper 60's and low to middle 70's. Clouds return for Sunday. The rain holds off until Monday as another cold front swings through our state. Have a pleasant evening.~Stephen

Record rainfall??

What a year we have had with all this rain! Here in Searcy we've seen nearly 47 inches. We're close to our average of 51. It should no doubt be an above average year for rainfall here in Searcy. But in terms of records, The National Weather Service doesn't keep rainfall records for Searcy. So we can only say that a certain year is below, above, or near average. However Little Rock is the official site for recording official rainfall totals. Searcy would be included in those totals. We are sitting at the fifth wettest month on record. We only need another 7.25 inches to tie the record. The average rainfall combined for the months of November and December are 10.5 inches. So if we see average rainfall, we will well eclipse the old numbers and have nearly 80 inches of rain.

Bring on the sun!

Good afternoon to all! Since the rain has left the scene we have had brilliant sunshine everyday. That will not change for at least the next five days. Although a cold front will swing through the state, no rain is expected and temperatures will not drop drastically. We will only see a few more clouds and much drier dew points. Sunny skies continue into the weekend with temperatures getting back into the low to mid 70's. Have a great week!~Stephen

Showers and Storms

Good evening! If you're heading out to club week activities tonight, grabbing the umbrella may not be a bad idea. We are expecting a slight chance for showers and storms, with the best chance coming after sunrise. Storms will be widespread through Wednesday, becoming scattered by the evening and into the morning on Thursday. A flash flood watch has been posted until Thursday evening for the threat of heavy downpours. Widespread severe weather is not expected, although strong wind gusts may be a problem with stronger storms. We start to clear out by Thursday afternoon. Sunny skies and warmer temperatures will be expected this weekend. Another cold front will move in Monday and bring a slight chance for rain to start next week.

Sunshine on the way

Good afternoon. The rain has ended for now. Overnight another front will move through the area, bringing more rain. Some locations, especially south of Interstate 40, saw rainfall totals upwards of five inches in the past 24 hours. I'm expecting another half-an-inch to an inch of rainfall tonight. Showers and storms will linger during the morning hours and push out by the afternoon, giving way to mostly sunny skies. As high pressure builds in, morning lows will be crisp in the 40's and highs will be in the upper 50's to lower 60's. By Monday expect plenty of sun with highs in the lower 70's.~Stephen Goodale

Persistent Rain

Good afternoon! The rain has been with us pretty much all day. It will stick around through the over night hours. I'm not expecting and severe weather, just persistent rain. We will see some clearing tomorrow morning before a cold front moves through during the day. Another chance for rain exists later in the day with the passage of the front. Storms are possible with this front, although I'm not expecting any to be severe. The weekend looks like a winner with cool temps and clearing skies.~Stephen Goodale

Yes, More Rain!

Good afternoon. Mostly cloudy skies have dominated today. Dew points are close to the actual air temperature, so the atmosphere is moist and juicy. We'll leave a slight chance for showers in the forecast tonight. Starting tomorrow a series of fronts will move through the area. Widespread showers and storms will be possible through Thursday morning. Mostly sunny skies return for the weekend with temperatures in the upper 50's.~Stephen Goodale

Heavy rains and severe weather possible tonight

Good evening! A warm front has moved through the state, that's why were so warm and humid this afternoon. The warm weather will be temporary though. A cold front back to the northwest will bring a chance for rain as early as tonight for northwest Arkansas. Throughout the day tomorrow will be the best chance for storms here in central Arkansas. The problem will be flooding rains as the front will become almost stationary and moving very very slowly. So for tonight and tomorrow expect torrential downpours with isolated chances for a severe thunderstorm. The weekend still looks good. Mostly to partly cloudy skies will be the rule for the weekend with temps in the upper 60's for highs and 40's for lows. We will start next week with slight rain chances and highs in the upper 60's/lower 70's. Have a safe Fall Break. Be sure to pack an umbrella if traveling in the south.~Stephen Goodale

Rain to start Fall Break

Good afternoon. The clouds will continue to roll in throughout the evening. Rain chances will increase overnight as well. A slight chance for severe weather exists for tomorrow. Mainly strong rain, hail, and damaging winds will be the main threat. Friday looks worse, with a second dose of heavy rain. The weekend looks good with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the 60's. For Columbus Day expect a cool morning and mild afternoon. Have a safe Fall Break!~Stephen Goodale

Clouds and rain return

Good afternoon. As with all good things, they must come to an end sometime. That is the situation with our weather here in the Natural State. Clouds will start to roll in later tonight and tomorrow. There is a slight chance for showers tomorrow. Friday showers and storms will be more wide spread and there is a slight chance for severe weather, especially north of I-40. The weekend looks dry, although skies will be partly to mostly cloudy. We start off the next work week with rain and warmer temps.~Stephen Goodale

A perfect night for star gazing!

When high pressure dominates our weather, it usually means no clouds, no rain, and cooler temperatures. These are all perfect conditions for stargazing. Tonight will be one of those nights. Head as far away from town as you can and enjoy the beautiful sky. The moon is almost full and may be a hindrance. Enjoy!

Too much of a good thing?

Good Afternoon. Another gorgeous day across the Natural State. High pressure is in control, giving us cloudless skies and comfortable temperatures. Tonight expect temperatures in the upper 40's. A long-sleeve shirt or light sweater maybe a good idea in the morning. By the afternoon highs should top out in the upper 70's. Those visiting for Lectureship are in store for more of this beautiful, fall weather. By Thursday the pattern will start to break down, bringing an end to the sunshine. Rain chances increase by the end of the week. The weekend looks to be another dry one.~Stephen Goodale

A Pleasant Change on the Way!

Good evening! It looks as though rain chances will hold on to end the week. For the weekend, conditions look immaculate compared to what they've been this week. For tonight look for slight rain chances. Rain chances increase for tomorrow!~Stephen Goodale

Severe Weather Update

Good evening! A brief severe weather update...A bow echo has formed just to the west of Little Rock. Strong winds and hail are possible along and ahead of the bow echo. For White County... expect strong winds in excess of 60 mph, heavy rain, and hail. An isolated tornado is not out of the question, but is unlikely. Storms are moving East at 35 mph. Storms will be near White County in the next hour to two hours.

More rain ahead!

Good afternoon. Temperatures have been above average today. The humidity has also returned. As we go through tonight expect clouds to increase and a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms. Tomorrow showers and storms will be more widespread as a cold front makes its way through our state. Look for temperatures to return to the 80's by Wednesday, although rain stays in the forecast. Also Fall arrives tomorrow at 4:18 PM.~Stephen Goodale