A COLD Easter with Light Freezing Rain Possible

Light freezing rain or freezing drizzle is possible this afternoon
and evening across northeast Oklahoma and northern portions of
Benton and Carroll counties in northwest Arkansas. Temperatures
are expected to fall steadily through the day, with the surface
freezing line located northwest of Interstate 44 by mid day.
Temperatures will fall below freezing between 3 and 6 PM north of
a line from Okemah to Vinita.

Very light precipitation is possible this afternoon, which could
result in light icing for locations with freezing temperatures.
The potential for icing continues Sunday night into early Monday
morning. Total ice accumulations will be less than a tenth of an
inch.

The ice impacts will be minimal given warm road temperatures. The
bigger impact may be from the dramatic temperature change, with
highs in the 70s on Saturday to highs in the upper 30s to lower
40s for Easter Sunday. The gusty northeast winds will create wind
chill values in the 20s. Temperatures are expected to rise above
freezing by late Monday morning, ending the threat for freezing
precipitation.

Temperatures on Monday will continue to be well below normal
despite a return to southerly winds. By Tuesday, another cold
front will move through the area, which will result in gusty
northwest winds and low humidity. This will raise fire weather
concerns for Tuesday afternoon. There will be a chance for showers
and thunderstorms on Tuesday as well, mainly south and east of
Tulsa. A hard freeze is possible on Wednesday morning for
portions of northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas.