Between Editions

Fifty degrees this afternoon seems like a heat wave. I took a walk during lunch and didn’t freeze. It’s a nice change, and to be honest, the frigid temps are depressing.

Tuesday’s high will drop slightly from today’s — to 45 degrees — but we’re expected to see highs in the 50s for the remainder of the week, according to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, La.

There’s a slight chance of rain Thursday and Friday.

Click here for the latest.

… really snow any significant amount? I am a skeptic when they call for a good chance of snow. They being the omnipotent forecasters at the National Weather Service. Here’s hoping it snows just enough to be pretty, but not enough to cause problems on area roadways.

And forecasts always change. Let’s watch this one closely, though.

If the National Weather Service forecast for later this week holds true, we’re in for some record breaking temperatures.

El Dorado is currently forecast to break the record for the lowest maximum temperature of 27 degrees — set in 1973 — on Friday, and we will meet and possibly exceed the record low of 10 degrees — set in 1910 — on Thursday.

The all-time record low for January in El Dorado was set in 1962 at -10 degrees. The all-time record for the lowest maximum temperature for January — also set in 1962 — was 14 degrees.

Things to remember: Your pets, the elderly and anyone who doesn’t have adequate heating in their homes. Also, those who do not have proper coats and other winter items to protect their skin.

A car parked on Madison Avenue in downtown El Dorado Monday morning is dusted with snow. Photo credit: John Worthen.

• • •

A low-dipping jet stream that normally sits across the middle and upper-middle sections of the U.S. is bringing us snow showers today. It’s in the upper 20s right now, and snow is expected to fall through the noon hour, with some clearing expected by afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, La.

Accumulation will be less than a half-inch.

More snow is forecast for Wednesday night and Thursday.

Some area bridges and overpasses are already receiving sand treatments, and there are spotty patches of ice, so be extra careful while driving.

Though it’s colder than a polar bear’s nose today, the National Weather Service in Shreveport, La., says we’re likely not due for any snowfall — anything other than a few small flakes, that is.

Most of the snow is expected along and below the Interstate 20 corridor, according to NWS officials. Click here for the latest.

I can’t embed the video from the Dallas Morning News, so click here to view snowfall in the DFW area. The above photo is a screen capture from the video of downtown Dallas today.

And speaking of snow… .

According to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, La., we aren’t expected to get any.

**UPDATE**
The NWS is forecasting a “slight chance” of snow for Union County Friday night. Little or no accumulation is expected, however.

Streets in Felsenthal are still flooded, and Mayor Lester Lancaster said he expected water levels to remain high through mid-November.

The Ouachita River is expected to fall to a level of 84.3 feet by Nov. 17, he said. “But that would still mean that K Avenue and other streets would still be flooded.”

Right now, the Tram Road, an old railway path, is the only way to access the city by car, and several homes there remain flooded.

As of Thursday afternoon, the river level was at 85.4 feet, according to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, La. Flood stage is 70 feet.

I spoke with the Salvation Army in El Dorado Thursday, and the organization has served approximately 700 meals to residents there. Look for an update in Saturday’s News-Times.