Winter Weather — Conway, Arkansas

2014-01-08 to 2014-01-09 · Conway, Arkansas

Wider weather episode

A round of wintry precipitation moved into western Arkansas on the morning of the 8th and spread to all sections during the daylight hours of the 8th. Although some precipitation was in the form of light snow or sleet at the onset in northern Arkansas, the vast majority of the precipitation in Arkansas fell as light freezing rain, accompanied by thunder at times. Freezing rain ended in most areas by midday on the 9th, except for the northeast quarter of the state, where some freezing rain lasted through early afternoon. Most freezing rain amounts were less than one-quarter inch.

Hundreds of auto accidents occurred. For central and southern sections, the main problems were on bridges and other elevated roadways. However, in parts of northern and western Arkansas even roads iced over.

There were three fatal accidents on the icy roads on the 8th, resulting in three indirect fatalities and six indirect injuries. Around 12:07 PM, a log truck and two cars collided on an icy bridge on Arkansas 46 near Jenkins Ferry, or about 5 miles northeast of Leola, in Grant County. A 58-year-old man was killed and four other people were injured. Around 4:40 PM, a 45-year-old man was killed when his car left icy Arkansas 124 about 1.5 miles south of Jerusalem in Conway County and crashed into some pine trees. Around 5:10 PM, a fatal accident occurred on U.S. 167 about 6 miles north of Bald Knob in White County. One motorist lost control on the icy road, traveled onto the wrong side of the highway, and struck another car head-on. An 80- year-old man was killed and two other people were injured.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 482647. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.