Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Sebastian, Arkansas

2017-12-31 · Sebastian, Arkansas

Wider weather episode

A strong cold front moved through eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas on the 30th. An arctic air mass spread southward into the region behind the front through the 31st. Temperatures in west central Arkansas were in the mid 20s during the morning hours of the 31st. This cold air combined with northerly wind of 10 to 15 mph resulted in wind chill values around 10 degrees. A 48 year old man was found dead outside a business in Fort Smith during the morning of the 31st. The medical examiner's office ruled that this death was due to extreme hypothermia due to exposure to the elements.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 726411. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.