Fort Smith weather: Ice storm warning issued for noon Wednesday

After two days of sleet, ice and freezing weather, a third round was headed to Arkansas Wednesday at noon.

An ice storm warning was issued by the National Weather Service that included Fort Smith and the Arkansas River Valley that takes effect at noon Wednesday, Feb. 1, and continued until noon Thursday, Feb. 2.

Schools in Fort Smith and the Arkansas River Valley remained on a remote learning plan Wednesday. Dangerous road conditions were not expected to improve with a high-temperature Wednesday near 33 degrees under cloudy skies.

On Tuesday, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, Adam Wood, was driving east of Vian in Sequoyah County, Okla. when his dashcam recorded a tractor-trailer sliding out of control on Interstate 40.

The big rig would have crossed the median into oncoming traffic, but thanks to a steel cable barrier, the truck and trailer stopped, and no other vehicles hit it.

Flights at airports in Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Little Rock and Dallas were delayed or canceled due to the winter blast. All flights to Dallas from Fort Smith Regional Airport for Wednesday were canceled.

Power outages, that were a problem during the snowstorm of the previous week, had not been reported in western Arkansas or eastern Oklahoma Wednesday morning. But Oklahoma Gas & Electric officials told customers to prepare for the possibility of outages as more freezing drizzle is expected to weigh heavy on tree branches and power lines.

Arkansas and Oklahoma transportation crews continued to monitor roadways. The Arkansas National Guard continued to assist Arkansas State Police assisting stranded motorists across the state.

Bob Oldham, Arkansas National Guard spokesman, said on Wednesday afternoon there were 65 guardsmen on duty assisting state police across the state.

"They're providing around-the-clock support to stranded motorists and doing their best to help make a positive difference for travelers in this inclement weather," Oldham said.

In Fort Smith, garbage collection service was postponed Wednesday.

Fort Smith Mayor George McGill canceled his state of the city address Wednesday that had been planned at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.

An ice storm warning was issued Tuesday for parts of central and southern Arkansas, and icy roads were reported in West Memphis, Ark. and in Memphis, Tennessee as the storm affected millions as far south as Austin, Texas and in the Dallas metropolitan area where pileups on highways were reported.

State of emergency:Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declares state of emergency due to ice storm

Winter storm:Bitter cold, waves of storms target nation's midsection; Texas, Gulf Coast states could see tornadoes: Updates

Fort Smith street conditions

Fort Smith police reported early Wednesday that icy conditions remained widespread in the city.

There were extremely icy conditions on State Highway 45 from Siegenthaler Road to Burrough. People were advised to avoid the area and find other routes.

Hilly streets remained slick Wednesday morning. Bridges and overpasses also remained slick and hazardous.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Arkansas Department of Transportation reported treacherous conditions. Anyone who has to drive should take precautions and drive slow. People are urged to have their cellphones charged and plenty of warm clothes including hats, gloves and coats if traveling.

Fort Smight weather forecast

The National Weather forecast Wednesday morning showed the possibility of significant icing on roadways.

In Arkansas and Oklahoma, hilly terrains in southern Sebastian County, and in Sequoyah and Le Flore counties in eastern Oklahoma could be especially dangerous.

Check swtimes.com for updates.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas River Valley to see more wintry weather: Here's the latest