Honestly, if you’re living in or passing through Van Buren, you probably know the drill. One minute you're enjoying a crisp, sunny walk along the historic downtown district, and the next, you’re scrambling for a heavy coat because a northwest wind decided to drop the temperature ten degrees in an hour. It's just how the Arkansas River Valley rolls.
Right now, we are looking at a classic mid-January stretch. As of Friday, January 16, 2026, the van buren arkansas weather forecast is showing a daytime high of 52°F with partly sunny skies. Sounds decent, right? But don't let that afternoon sun fool you into thinking spring is early. By tonight, the sky clears out and the temperature is expected to bottom out at a freezing 29°F.
The Weekend Reality Check
Saturday is where things get a bit "Arkansas interesting." We're keeping that partly sunny vibe during the day, but the high is only hitting 42°F. That’s a ten-degree drop from Friday. The real story, though, is the wind. We’re expecting a west wind at 16 mph, which basically means whatever the thermometer says, your face is going to feel a lot colder.
Oh, and there’s a 10% chance of snow during the day on Saturday. It’s not much—hardly enough to dust a porch—but in this part of the state, even the mention of white flakes makes people head for the bread and milk aisles at the local Harps. Saturday night is going to be the real bone-chiller, with a low of 18°F.
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Sunday, January 18, stays cold but clears up completely. You’ll see a high of 50°F, which is a nice rebound, but that overnight low is sticking at 18°F. If you have outdoor pets or plants that aren't fans of the deep freeze, Sunday night is when you definitely need them inside.
A Quick Peek at the Week Ahead
The rollercoaster continues into Monday. We’re looking at mostly cloudy skies and a high of only 37°F. Snow chances hover around 10% again, so keep an eye on the windshield. By the time we hit the middle of next week, specifically Wednesday, January 21, things shift. The temperature climbs back to 53°F, but it brings a 40% chance of light rain.
Humidity is also going to spike to about 70% on Wednesday. It’s that damp, heavy cold that seems to sink into your bones more than the dry freezes. Basically, keep the umbrella in the car because you’ll probably need it by mid-week.
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Why Van Buren Weather is Such a Wildcard
Van Buren sits in a unique spot. Being nestled in the valley means we often get trapped air that stays colder or warmer than the surrounding ridges. Most people look at the Fort Smith regional data and assume it's identical, but local geography—especially the river—tinkers with the dew points and fog levels more than you'd think.
Historically, January is our coldest month. While our average high is usually around 51°F, we’ve seen some absolute extremes. Most locals still talk about the 2008 storms or the massive January 1999 tornado outbreak that reminded everyone that "winter" in Arkansas doesn't always just mean ice and snow; it can mean severe storms if the Gulf moisture creeps too far north.
- Current UV Index: It’s sitting at a 2. Even when it’s sunny, the sun’s bite isn't strong enough to burn, but it’s enough to make a porch sit feel nice.
- Wind Patterns: We’re seeing a lot of northwest and west winds this weekend. These are the "dry" winds that bring the cold air down from the plains.
- Precipitation Types: We're in that window where the forecast flips between "rain" and "snow" every few hours based on just a two-degree difference.
What You Should Actually Do
Stop trusting the "7-day" as gospel. Around here, the van buren arkansas weather forecast is more of a polite suggestion until about 24 hours out. For the next few days, the smart move is layering.
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You’ll want a wind-resistant outer shell for Saturday’s 16 mph gusts. Also, if you’re driving late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, watch the bridges over the Arkansas River. Even with a 10% snow chance, any moisture that hits the pavement will freeze solid when we hit that 18°F mark.
Check your tire pressure too. These 30-degree swings in 12 hours are notorious for triggering those annoying "low pressure" sensors on your dashboard. Stay warm, keep the de-icer handy, and remember that by Tuesday, we’ll probably be back to sunny skies and 52°F.
Make sure to wrap your outdoor faucets tonight. With the low hitting 29°F tonight and diving to 18°F tomorrow, those exposed pipes are at risk.