If you’ve spent any time in central Arkansas lately, you know the vibe. One day you’re wearing a light fleece and grabbing a coffee at Root Cafe, and the next, you’re frantically checking the plumbing because the mercury decided to take a nose dive. Weather in the Natural State is basically a mood ring. It changes fast. Honestly, trying to pin down an extended forecast for Little Rock Arkansas is a bit like trying to catch a catfish with your bare hands—it’s slippery, unpredictable, and usually involves a little bit of mud.
Right now, we are staring at a mid-January reality that’s keeping everyone on their toes. Today is Wednesday, January 14, 2026. If you look out the window, you’ll see the sun trying its best, but there’s a bite in the air. We’re coming off a weirdly warm Tuesday where highs hit $67^{\circ}F$, but that’s over. A cold front is currently sweeping through, and it’s dragging the thermometer down.
The Immediate Outlook: Shivering Through Next Week
The next few days are going to be a lesson in layering. Tonight, the temperature is expected to crater to about $28^{\circ}F$. Clear skies might look pretty, but they offer zero insulation.
By tomorrow, Thursday, January 15, don't expect much of a rebound. We’re looking at a high of $47^{\circ}F$. It’ll be sunny, sure, but that northwest wind is going to make it feel a lot crunchier. Then comes the weekend. Saturday and Sunday (January 17–18) are shaping up to be the real tests for your heavy coats. We’re talking highs only reaching the low 40s and overnight lows dipping into the low 20s.
It's cold.
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Why the Forecast Feels So Shifty
You might hear meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Little Rock talking about "La Niña" or "ENSO-neutral" phases. Basically, the Pacific Ocean is acting up. We’ve been in a weak La Niña pattern, which typically means the Southern U.S. stays a bit drier and warmer than average. But "average" is a funny word. It doesn't mean it won't get freezing; it just means the overall trend is mild.
We are currently in a transition. Experts are seeing a 75% chance that we’ll move into an "ENSO-neutral" phase between now and March. When the atmosphere is in this "neutral" state, the jet stream doesn't have a clear roadmap. This is why our extended forecast for Little Rock Arkansas looks like a zig-zag.
One week we have high pressure bringing clear, frigid Canadian air. The next, a ridge might build, pulling up moisture and warmth from the Gulf. It’s a constant tug-of-war over Pulaski County.
The Rain (or Lack Thereof)
Arkansas has been struggling with some dry patches. Wildfire danger has been elevated recently because we just haven't had the "big soak" we usually get this time of year. Looking ahead through the end of January, there’s a slight chance for some light rain around January 23.
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Don't hold your breath for a snow day, though. While there’s a 10% chance of flurries mentioned for Saturday, January 17, it’s mostly just "mood snow." The kind that disappears before it hits the pavement.
Historical data for January in Little Rock tells us:
- Average High: $51^{\circ}F$
- Average Low: $34^{\circ}F$
- Average Rainfall: About 3.5 inches
- Days with Rain: Usually around 9
We are currently tracking slightly below those precipitation averages. If you’re a gardener or a farmer, this is the part where you start worrying about soil moisture for the spring.
February and Beyond: The Light at the End of the Tunnel?
If you can survive the rest of January, the extended forecast for Little Rock Arkansas for February 2026 looks a bit more forgiving. Long-range models suggest February might actually swing about $3^{\circ}F$ above the normal averages.
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We’re expecting a pattern shift early next month.
- Early Feb: Expect a messy mix. Rain and potentially some snow in North Arkansas, with heavy rain in the Little Rock area.
- Mid-Feb: This is the "fake spring" we all love and hate. Sunny skies and "very warm" conditions (potentially hitting the 60s or even 70s) are on the table for the second week of the month.
- Late Feb: A return to reality with some rain and cooler, but not brutal, temperatures.
It's a classic Arkansas winter finale. You'll probably turn your AC on for two days and then flip the heater back on by Friday.
How to Prepare for the Fluctuating Forecast
Since the weather is currently doing gymnastics, you’ve gotta be smart about your house and car. When those lows hit $23^{\circ}F$ this weekend, your outdoor spigots need covers. Honestly, even a thick towel and some duct tape works in a pinch if you forgot to buy the foam covers at Home Depot.
Keep an eye on the wind chill. A $43^{\circ}F$ day in Little Rock feels like $35^{\circ}F$ if the wind is whipping off the river. If you're heading to a Razorbacks game or just walking around the River Market, remember that the humidity here makes the cold feel "wet." It sinks into your bones in a way that dry mountain cold just doesn't.
Actionable Insights for Little Rock Residents
To stay ahead of the weather over the next 14 days, here is what you should actually do:
- Audit Your Pipes Now: With lows of $23^{\circ}F$ and $24^{\circ}F$ forecast for January 18 and 19, make sure your crawl space is closed and your hoses are disconnected.
- Don't Wash the Car Yet: We have a front moving through with high winds today, and light rain chances are popping up next week. Wait until the dust settles.
- Layer the Garden: If you have tender perennials that started peeking out during that $67^{\circ}F$ Tuesday, throw some pine straw or mulch over them tonight. This weekend’s hard freeze will bite them.
- Monitor the Fire Risk: Until we get that projected rain on the 23rd, avoid burning brush. The humidity is low, and the winds are high—a bad combo for central Arkansas.
The big takeaway? Winter isn't done with us. We’re in the thick of the "yo-yo season." Enjoy the sun when it's out, but keep the heavy blanket on the foot of the bed for a few more weeks.