A big chunk of the U.S. is getting a blast of wintry weather. Some areas are experiencing frigid temperatures. Some are seeing snow and ice. The conditions are making travel difficult and prompting the cancellation of flights, holiday festivities and football games. Even one outdoor ice rink in cold-accustomed South Dakota is shutting down.
• ARIZONA
• A storm rolling in over the weekend will keep northern Arizona in the grips of freezing temperatures, bringing more snow and making travel a little tricky.
• Phoenix residents could see a dusting of snow in the surrounding mountains. Several inches of snow could fall in the higher terrain.
• The cold weather is normal for this time of year, but the duration of chilly temperatures that will dip below zero in some parts of northern Arizona is what makes the recent and upcoming days "on the cold end of normal," said David Blanchard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Flagstaff.
• Tucson street crews were busy Thursday preparing for the weather by coating about 70 bridge decks with magnesium chloride to keep ice from sticking to roadways.
• ARKANSAS
• Wintry weather prompted schools, businesses and government agencies to shutter their doors Friday as icy weather pelted the state ahead of a cold snap expected to last for days.
• Gov. Mike Beebe declared a statewide emergency, making it easier for crews to repair expected damage to trees and power lines. He also said only essential state personnel needed to report for duty in Little Rock, the state capital.
• An ice storm warning issued by the National Weather Service in North Little Rock was to last until 6 p.m. Friday.
• Cold air following the storm was forecast to drop temperatures below zero in parts of northern Arkansas as bitter cold stretches across the state into next week.
• COLORADO
• In northwestern Colorado, temperatures dropped to near 30 degrees below zero.
• National Weather Service meteorologist Matthew Aleksa said the temperature in Meeker hit 29 below zero just before sunrise Thursday, and Craig was at minus 27 degrees.

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