Wind gusts so far today:

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR
430 PM CST THU DEC 20 2012

…PEAK WIND GUSTS SINCE MIDNIGHT ACROSS THE COUNTY WARNING AREA…

SHERIDAN…………………..55 MPH
STUTTGART………………….50 MPH
FLIPPIN……………………50 MPH
DEVILS KNOB RAWS……………50 MPH
STUTTGART AIRPORT…………..50 MPH
LITTLE ROCK ADAMS FIELD……..49 MPH
HOT SPRINGS………………..46 MPH
MOUNTAIN HOME………………46 MPH
PINE BLUFF…………………46 MPH
NEWPORT……………………46 MPH
HARRISON…………………..45 MPH
MONTICELLO…………………45 MPH
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE…..44 MPH
BATESVILLE…………………44 MPH
MENA………………………43 MPH
NORTH LITTLE ROCK NWS……….43 MPH
CLINTON……………………43 MPH
MONTICELLO RAWS…………….42 MPH
SEARCY…………………….41 MPH
RUSSELLVILLE……………….40 MPH
BOONEVILLE RAWS…………….40 MPH
CAMDEN…………………….40 MPH
MOUNT IDA………………….38 MPH
ARKADELPHIA………………..36 MPH
EVENING SHADE RAWS………….36 MPH
GUY RAWS…………………..35 MPH
JESSIEVILLE RAWS……………34 MPH
SILVER HILL RAWS……………34 MPH
ODEN RAWS………………….33 MPH
ARMSTEAD MOUNTAIN RAWS………31 MPH

A wind advisory remains in effect for much of Arkansas through 6 PM this evening. Strong West winds will continue across the State today behind the cold front that swept through last night. Intense low pressure moving into the Ohio Valley creating a strong pressure gradient is bringing very windy conditions throughout Arkansas, especially over the Northern half of the State. Winds are strong enough to bring down tree limbs and cause power outages


Winds have already gusted close to 50 MPH in some spots, including a 49 MPH gusts recorded at Little Rock National Airport.

The winds combined with much cooler temperatures today are creating cold wind chill values. The wind chill is how cold it feels when wind is taken into account. Wind chill values through the afternoon will range from the 20s North to 30s South


Winds will diminish somewhat during the evening hours, but temperatures will quickly drop into the 30s after dark. Lows by Friday morning will fall below freezing into the mid to upper 20s.