A winter storm watch has been put in effect for Pine Bluff from noon Thursday through noon Friday, the National Weather Service announced.
The NWS predicts 4-7 inches of snow is possible with “locally higher amounts possible” in southeast Arkansas and higher terrain regions of the Ouachita Mountains.
Thursday will see partly sunny skies with a high of 37, then a 20% chance of rain and snow growing into a 90% chance of heavy snow with a low of 28 by night. Friday calls for an 80% chance of snow, then a 40% chance of rain and snow with a high of 33. It is expected to be mostly cloudy with a low of 20 degrees Friday night.
Saturday’s forecast is mostly sunny with a high of 37, followed by a low of 21. Highs for Sunday and Monday are expected to draw near 40.
The area has seen temperatures plunge from the mid-60s Sunday afternoon to the mid-20s Monday morning, a result of high pressure from Minnesota pushing down cold air into Arkansas, according to an NWS forecaster.
Entergy said in a text alert its crews are ready to respond to the severe weather and asked its customers to do the same.
“Restoring power safely and quickly is our top priority,” Entergy said in the text. “Power restoration during extreme cold can take longer due to increased demand. If power is lost, please turn off electric heaters and major appliances until power is restored.”
The city of Pine Bluff was to open a warming center starting Tuesday at The Opportunity House, 1305 E. Eighth Ave. The daily times of operation are 6:30 p.m.-7 a.m., and the city says volunteers are needed. To volunteer, call the mayor’s office at (870) 730-2000 or email [email protected].
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff announced Tuesday it has not decided whether to close campus. The university listed factors that influence its decision, including weather predictions from the NWS, local and state closures, recommendations from the Arkansas Department of Transportation and road/sidewalk conditions on campus and in the surrounding region.
“Students and employees should not put themselves in harm’s way,” the university states. “If the University remains open during inclement weather, individuals are expected to use their best judgment when determining whether it is safe to travel to campus.”
UAPB also announced changes in start times for its home basketball games against Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M universities. The Texas Southern women’s game has been moved up to noon Saturday, with the men’s game to follow at 2:30 p.m. The UAPB-Prairie View games are now scheduled for 3 and 5 p.m. Monday.
UAPB stated every effort would be made to announce closures or suspension of events no later than 6 a.m. at uapb.edu or its social media accounts.
Southeast Arkansas College has not announced any contingency plans for classes. Athletic director Chad Kline said, however, Thursday’s basketball games against Southern Arkansas University Tech at UAPB’s H.O. Clemmons Arena are postponed to a date to be determined.
The Pine Bluff School District said in another statement its goal is to make decisions on school closures “as early as possible but no later than 6 a.m. Notification will be made through text, social media and local TV stations, it said.
“Your safety is our top priority,” the PBSD stated. “Stay tuned for any updates throughout the week. In the meantime, we can’t wait to welcome back our students on (Wednesday)!”
The Watson Chapel and White Hall school districts have said no decision on closing has been made, but officials from both districts are monitoring forecasts. The districts encourage families to prepare for possible early dismissal Thursday and school closure Friday.
The White Hall district has listed inclement weather bus routes here. “Inclement Bus Routes will only be used if necessary, and parents will be notified in advance,” the WHSD stated.
School makeup dates for the WHSD, in order, are Feb. 17, April 18, and May 27-29. If school is postponed in the WCSD, each day will be made up in order starting May 30, then June 2-5.
