West Memphis Daily Brief: Cold, Calm Weekend on the River

Cold but calm weekend in West Memphis

West Memphis heads into the first weekend of February under clear skies and lingering chill. After last month’s winter storm dropped several inches of snow across Crittenden County, streets around town are mostly dry, but overnight temperatures near or below freezing mean slick spots can still develop early in the day.

For many residents, that means a quiet Saturday of watching the weather, checking on neighbors, and easing back into normal routines after a disruptive stretch of ice and snow.

Cold mornings, afternoon thaw

Regional forecasters say the Mid-South is in a brief thaw pattern, with afternoon highs edging into the lower 40s while mornings stay at or below freezing. That combination allows some melting on paved surfaces during the day, then refreezing on untreated roads, sidewalks, and parking lots after sunset.

Drivers are encouraged to stay cautious through at least Sunday morning, especially on neighborhood streets that see less traffic and treatment.

Roads mostly clear, but watch the bridges

Travel around West Memphis and into Memphis has improved significantly compared with the height of Winter Storm Fern, but the greatest concern remains on bridges, overpasses, and shaded stretches of interstate. Transportation and weather officials continue to stress slower speeds, extra following distance, and avoiding cruise control when there is any chance of black ice.

If you have to be on I-40 or I-55 early, plan a little extra time and assume ramps and flyovers could be slick before the sun gets higher.

Quiet city calendar

The city’s online calendar shows no public meetings or special events posted for February as of Saturday afternoon. That makes this weekend a relatively slow one for official business, giving residents a chance to focus on household clean-up from the recent storm or simply enjoy a calm, cold day at home.

Police emphasize outreach and training

While there are no major incidents making headlines locally today, the West Memphis Police Department continues to highlight community engagement and professional training on its official pages. The department’s Community Engagement Unit focuses on neighborhood partnerships, church and school visits, and coordination with local groups to improve quality of life and public safety.

Behind the scenes, the Training Division keeps both new recruits and veteran officers in the classroom and on the range, with well over the minimum hours required by state standards. Recruiting materials emphasize a commitment to service, professionalism, and building trust with residents.

For now, that leaves West Memphis with something that can be welcome in the heart of winter: a quiet news day, a slow thaw, and time to regroup before the next busy stretch of the year.

Sources

• https://hoodline.com/2026/02/memphis-slips-from-deep-freeze-to-thaw-as-black-ice-haunts-commute/
• https://www.weather.gov/meg/
• https://www.weather.gov/meg/jan2325winterstorm
• https://www.weather.gov/meg/events/20080110/lsr.php
• https://www.westmemphisar.gov/
• https://www.westmemphisar.gov/427/Community-Outreach
• https://www.westmemphisar.gov/409/Training-Division
• https://westmemphisar.gov/170/Recruiting