Arkansas Winter Storm Database
Significant and Unsual Winter Storms in Arkansas (2011-Present)
Overview
This is a series of ArcGIS maps documenting significant or unusual winter storms affecting Arkansas from 2011 to the present year. Note that new events will be added as time permits. Each map has known accumulations from each winter storm or series of storms mentioned, using archived cooperative observer and National Weather Service data and reports.
Also note, numerous significant events are documented, but not all events are represented.
-- 2011 --
January 9-11, 2011
Snow fell in most of the state, with six to eight inches in the central and south. Eight inches fell at Hot Springs and Malvern, while nearly six inches fell in the Little Rock Area.
January 19-21, 2011
Three to five inches of snow fell in Northern Arkansas, with the heaviest totals near the Missouri border. Further south in Central Arkansas, a rain/snow mix fell.
February 9-11, 2011
Heavy snow fell in much of northern and central Arkansas, with as much as two feet of accumulation in parts of the Ozarks. The snow was followed by bitterly cold arctic air, with most places recording the coldest February temperatures since 1996 or 1951. Some locations in northern and central Arkansas recorded their coldest temperatures since the December 1989 Arctic outbreak.
For more on the extreme cold and snowfall of 2011 in Arkansas, check out the significant event web page put together by NWS Little Rock.
In the picture: A table showing the lowest temperatures recorded from February 9-11, 2011. Much of northwestern Arkansas saw sub-zero temperatures.
-- 2012 --
December 25-26, 2012
A "Very" Rare Christmas Winter Storm for Arkansas
Record heavy snow fell on top of some light freezing rain in much of western, central, and northeast Arkansas. In northeast Arkansas, winds gusted to 30-40 mph, creating near-blizzard conditions (the first time since January 28, 1966). 17.5 inches of snow fell at Perry in Perry County, with 22 inches near Perryville. Many locations saw the snowiest December on record, just from this one storm. The ice and heavy snow downed trees and caused widespread power outages, especially around Little Rock.
For more info on this event, check out the significant event page put together by NWS Little Rock.
In the picture: Around 10 inches of snow was on the ground in Sherwood (Pulaski County) on the morning of the 26th, after snowfall had ended.
Meso-Analysis Data - 12/25/2012
In the image gallery from left to right: (1) WPC Surface analyses in three hour intervals from 12Z 12/25/2012 to 12Z 12/26/2012; (2) SPC 850 mb analyses at 12Z 12/25/2012 and 00Z 12/26/2012; (3) SPC 500 mb analyses at 12Z 12/25/2012 and 00Z 12/26/2012; (4) LZK RAOB data in 12 hour intervals from 00Z 12/25/2012 to 00Z 12/26/2012.
-- 2013 --
May 3-5, 2013
A late-season severe cold wave produced the latest snowfall ever recorded in the state of Arkansas. Two to five inches of snow fell in the northwest. Flurries and sleet pellets fell as far south as Mount Ida, Ratcliff, and Hattieville. Also, many locations around the state set all-time record lows for the month of May, with Leola and Sparkman recording the latest freeze ever on the 4th and 5th, respectively.
December 5-7, 2013
Sleet and freezing rain developed in northern Arkansas on the 5th, spreading into the central and western portions by the 6th. Over the north, precipitation transitioned to snow. When the storm was over, as much as a quarter to half an inch of ice had accrued in portions of central Arkansas and much of west central Arkansas. Sleet and snow accumulations were as high as eight to twelve inches in the north, while the central portion saw one to two inches.
-- 2014 --
March 1-4, 2014
Snow & Sleet (Left) / Freezing Rain (Right)
A strong Arctic front stalled in southern Arkansas. Heavy rain fell. Behind the front, freezing rain, sleet and snow accumulated in northern and central Arkansas. Three to five inches of snow fell in northern Arkansas, with one to three inches of sleet and snow in the central on top of a quarter to half inch of freezing rain.
Arctic March Temperatures (March 2-4)
Record cold accompanied the front, with many areas seeing the coldest March temperatures since 1980, 1965, or 1943. Winds behind the system were gusty, which caused wind chill values to fall as cold as -10F to -15F in the northwest. The cold continued into the 4th and 5th, causing major traffic jams on I-40 and I-55 in eastern Arkansas due to the combination of heavy sleet, freezing rain, melting and refreezing, construction areas, and accidents.
-- 2015 --
February 24-26, 2015
Heavy snow fell in southern Arkansas. The heaviest accumulations were on the 25th, and fell from Texarkana to near Helena. The highest amounts were eight inches in areas near Chidester and Rison.
March 4-5, 2015
A strong Arctic front moved through the state. Rain was heavy at times, with precipitation transitioning to snow over northern Arkansas in the early morning hours of the 4th, and over the remainder of the state during the day and into the early evening. Most locations saw a sleet and snow mix initially, with precipitation transitioning to snow in all areas before ending.
Snowfall amounts in much of central and north central/northeast Arkansas ranged from four to eight inches. Southwest of Leslie, in the higher terrain of the Ozarks, amounts were as high as 12 inches. Low temperatures in most areas on the 6th and 7th were in the single digits and teens on top of snow cover. Near Batesville, the temperature fell to 1 above zero.
-- 2016 --
January 21-22, 2016
Snow fell over the eastern half of the state. The highest totals were in the Little Rock metropolitan area, with six to eight inch amounts common.
February 23-24, 2016
Heavy snow fell in the higher elevations of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains. Totals were as high as eight to nine inches on Rich Mountain and Mount Magazine. Most areas above 1000 feet received measurable snowfall.
-- 2018 --
November 14-15, 2018
An early-season winter storm produced measurable snow in much of the eastern half of the state. The highest totals were over eastern Arkansas, with two to four inch amounts common from Star City to Georgetown. The highest total was at Georgetown, with 5.5 inches. Several locations set a record for their earliest measurable snowfall. These locations included Arkansas Post, Camden, Monticello, Sheridan, Star City, Alicia, Augusta, Fordyce, and Hardy.
December 8-9, 2018
Snow & Sleet (Left) / Freezing Rain (Right)
A winter storm produced sleet, snow and ice accumulations in central into northeast Arkansas. Sleet and snow accumulations amounted to one to three inches, primarily in the Ozarks. Ice accruals of one tenth to three quarters of an inch were noted from central into northeast Arkansas. Because of the ice, at least 40,000 power outages were reported, with trees and limbs downed due to the weight of the ice. Also, heavy rain fell in portions of southern Arkansas, with amounts of two to four inches in the central and south.
-- 2021 --
February 14-18, 2021
Within the span of five days, beginning on February 14th and lasting through the 18th, two significant winter storms affected Arkansas in back-to-back fashion. The storms produced record snowfall and snow depths across the state. Additionally, record Arctic cold set in, with low temperatures below zero around most of the state.
Note that the web map in this pane displays the storm total observed snow totals from both of the winter storms that struck the area in the five day period. Separate accumulation maps for each winter storm are included below.
For more info on this event, check out the significant event web story put together by NWS Little Rock.
In the picture: GOES16 true color imagery showed a vast extent of snow covered ground over the entire state of Arkansas on the afternoon of 2/19/2021.
Local RAOB Data
In the animation: A loop of observed soundings from the North Little Rock WFO through the duration of the February 2021 Double Snowstorm Event. Environments that were very conducive for heavy and efficient snowfall are evident, and an extreme cold sounding can be seen at 12Z on 02/16/2021.
Winter Storm 1
With the first storm (Feb 14-15), a fine, dry and powdery snow fell, with the heaviest amounts centered just west of the I-30 corridor from southwest into north central Arkansas. The heaviest snow ranged from 8 to 12 inches.
In the picture: The scene of the evening weather balloon launch on February 15th at the North Little Rock Forecast Office. Several inches of snow was still on the ground, with another significant snowstorm forecast to begin within the next few days.
Arctic Temperatures
Very cold Arctic air moved in behind the system, with widespread below zero temperatures in much of the state. In the Little Rock metro area, temperatures were the coldest recorded since 1989. Most places recorded their coldest readings on the morning of the 16th.
The morning of the 16th brought the coldest temperatures of the Arctic Snap, however a prolonged period of high temperatures below freezing also preceded and accompanied the cold snap. Little Rock (Adams Field) did not record a high temperature above freezing for eight days in a row (2/11 - 2/18). The Little Rock WFO (North Little Rock Airport) did not record a high temperature above freezing for nine days in a row (2/10 - 2/18).
In the picture: As the sun set on the evening of the 15th, satellite infrared imagery began to show extremely cold surface temperatures, with local lakes highlighted well against the much colder land surfaces.
Winter Storm 2
The next round of heavy snow came primarily during the 17th-18th, with amounts of 10"-15" or more common from southwest into central Arkansas. In a few places, more than 20" fell.
Heavy and blinding snow fell across portions of I-30 and I-530 on the afternoon of the 17th, resulting in dangerous driving conditions. The Pine Bluff and Arkadelphia automated weather stations reported heavy snow and extremely reduced visibilities down to a half mile between 3-4 PM CST on the 17th.
Pine Bluff METAR: KPBF 172027Z AUTO 02009KT 1/4SM +SN FZFG VV009 M07/M09
Arkadelphia METAR: KADF 172056Z AUTO 04006KT 1/4SM +SN FZFG OVC007 M07/M09
In the picture: Near whiteout conditions were observed from ARDOT traffic cameras along portions of I-530 in and near Pine Bluff on the afternoon of 2/17/2021.
-- 2022 --
January 15-16, 2022
On January 15-16, 2022, a winter storm brought widespread heavy and wet snow to the state, with the greatest totals of 10+ inches across far northern Arkansas, including much of the highest terrain of the Ozarks, and a swath of 3 to 4 inches extending over the central Arkansas River Valley.
Significant travel impacts were noted along U.S. Highway 65 through Searcy and Boone Counties as heavy and wet snow quickly accumulated on higher terrain roads.
In the picture: Heavy snow along highway 65 in Searcy County led to significant travel impacts on January 15, 2022. Image courtesy of Bob King via Twitter.
Additional Snow on January 19, 2022.
Another low-accumulation snowfall event occurred just a few days later on January 19th with the greatest accumulations of 1-3" falling over portions of Carroll, Boone, and Marion Counties.
Arkansas Snowfall January 19 2022
February 3-4, 2022
On February 3-4, 2022, a winter storm brought heavy snowfall to portions of northern and northwestern Arkansas, and sleet and freezing rain to portions of central, eastern, and southern Arkansas.
Snow & Sleet (Left) / Freezing Rain (Right)
The greatest snow totals were seen over northwestern Arkansas, with totals of 4-8" of snow common, and a few locations recording 10" or more, including 11" near Norfork (Baxter County), Flippin (Marion County), and Viola (Fulton County), and 13" near Lead Hill (Boone County). Sleet was much more common in central, eastern, and southern Arkansas, with accumulations of 1-3" common around the region.
Sleet and freezing rain were the more predominant precipitation type in central and southern Arkansas with this winter storm. Ice accumulations of one-tenth to a half-inch were common, with the greatest accumulations noted over eastern and southeastern Arkansas. Damage from ice accumulation was also the most predominant in this area as well, as just over 20,000 power outages were reported on the afternoon of February 3rd.
February 24-25, 2022
On February 24-25, 2022, a setup that was similar to the events from just earlier that month impacted the state, however the primary differences were overall, much less snow, and greater coverage of primarily sleet and freezing rain, driving widespread travel impacts.
Snow and Sleet Accumulation
Mostly sleet fell over central Arkansas, with some snow accumulations noted in far northern Arkansas, and the higher terrain of the Ozarks.
Freezing Rain Accumulation
Of more significant impact was the coverage of freezing rain. The greatest ice accumulations were observed over central and eastern Arkansas, with ice accruals as thick as one-half inch to three-quarters of an inch common, and over one inch of ice reported near Searcy (White County), and a light glazing of ice more common elsewhere in the state.
Significant travel impacts were noted along U.S. Highway 67 near Newport, as well as most of the thruway in Jackson and White Counties. Portions of the highway eventually had to be shutdown due to hazardous road conditions.
In addition to travel impacts, over 30,000 power outages were reported over eastern Arkansas where ice accumulations were the most significant.
In the picture: Accrual of ice at the Little Rock Forecast Office on February 24, 2022.
March 11, 2022
On March 11, 2022, a late-season winter weather event impacted much of the state, with the greatest snow totals observed over much of central Arkansas, and eastern portions of the state near the Mississippi River. Snow totals of 3 to 5 inches were common around the Little Rock and Conway metro areas, with most other locations receiving 2 to 3 inches of snow.
By the following day, temperatures had moderated back to more seasonal values, and snow quickly melted around the state.
In the picture: A forecaster from the Little Rock Forecast Office releasing the evening weather balloon into falling snow on March 11, 2022.
November 14, 2022
On November 14, 2022, an early-season winter weather event unfolded across mostly northwestern Arkansas. Snowfall accumulation was primarily limited to far northwest Arkansas and the higher terrain of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, with amounts of 2-3 inches common.
December 22-23, 2022
On December 22-23, 2022, an Arctic Air Outbreak contributed to snow accumulations over much of the northern half of the state, and extremely cold air temperatures.
Snow Accumulations
Overall, accumulations were the greatest in northern and northeastern Arkansas where snowfall values of 2-3 inches were common. Over central Arkansas, most saw just a dusting with minimal accumulations.
Arctic Temperatures (Left)
A strong Arctic cold front swept through the state on the afternoon of December 22, bringing northwesterly winds of 30 to 40 mph to portions of the area. Extremely cold air was ushered into the state overnight, with low temperatures on the morning of December 23, falling to their lowest values the state had seen in the month of December since 1989. Single-digit air temperatures were common over central and southern Arkansas, with much of northern Arkansas and the higher terrain regions falling into the negative single-digits. The Compton RAWS (Newton Co.) recorded a low temperature of -10F on the morning of December 23.
Arctic Wind Chill Values (Right)
Strong winds associated with the cold front drove wind chill values into the negative teens and twenties across much of central and northern Arkansas on the morning of December 23 as well, with the Devils Knob RAWS (Johnson Co.) recording a -30F wind chill value, and the Compton RAWS (Newton Co.) recording a -31F wind chill value.
In the picture: A surface analysis issued by WPC at 21Z on December 22, 2022, which indicated a strong Arctic front was moving through the state that afternoon.
-- 2023 --
January 24-25, 2023
From January 24-25, a significant winter storm impacted much of northern and western Arkansas. The greatest accumulations were confined to the higher terrain of the Ozark and Ouachita mountains, with snow totals between 10 to 14 inches, and a whopping 16 inches measured on Mount Magazine in Logan County. Generally, below 1000 feet of elevation, locations saw up to 6 inches of snow, with central Arkansas only seeing a trace of snow through the event.
January 30 - February 3, 2023
Freezing Rain Accumulation in Southern Central Arkansas (Left)
A multi-day freezing rain event struck southern central Arkansas in late January/early February of 2023. Freezing rain continued to fall for 4 days consistently, though accumulation rates were not high, the persistent freezing rain brought significant damage to trees and infrastructure over portions of Grant, Jefferson, Dallas, Cleveland, and Lincoln Counties as there was no real break in precipitation and ice accumulation through the event.
Sleet and Snow in Northern and Central Arkansas (Right)
To the north of where the ice accumulation was the most significant, slightly colder temperatures through the event yielded more sleet and snow rather than freezing rain, and damage from ice was not nearly as significant.
-- 2024 --
January 14-16, 2024
Heavy Snow Across Northern Arkansas
On the left: The total snowfall accumulations from January 14-16, 2024. A winter storm impacted mostly northern Arkansas as an Arctic Air Outbreak overspread across the central and southern United States. A band of totals from four to seven (or more) inches of snow was observed across northern Arkansas and the higher terrain of the Boston Mountains/Ozark National Forest. Over the central and southern portions of the state, sleet was much more predominant and this lowered snow totals to one to three inches, despite bitter cold temps near the surface.
Arctic Air Temperatures
On the right: The minimum observed air temperatures from January 15-18, 2024. Numerous cold mornings were observed, with progressively colder mornings observed daily through the Arctic Air outbreak, but most areas saw their coldest reading on the mornings of January 16th or the 17th. Across northern Arkansas, low temperatures fell to below zero for a few mornings in a row. Areas along the Buffalo and White River Valleys saw particularly cold readings to -10F or colder (some stations not depicted). In addition to record cold lows, several area locations set records for daily "low-high" temperatures on both January 15th and 16th.
In the picture: A tweet from NWS Little Rock showing the numerous area-sites that set new daily records on January 15th, 2024, as an Arctic Airmass kept temperatures frigid, both at night, and during the daytime.
