Weather
Arkansas Winter 2026-27: Historic Snowfall Records Reveal Risks
Little Rock, AR – Arkansas has experienced extraordinary winter weather, including a 25 inch snowfall recorded more than a century ago. As winter 2026 27 approaches, historical records show that even
By Wesley Grant · 2026-10-21T13:08:00.798Z
Little Rock, AR – Arkansas has experienced extraordinary winter weather, including a 25 inch snowfall recorded more than a century ago. As winter 2026 27 approaches, historical records show that even a Southern state known for relatively mild winters can experience significant snowfall.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centers for Environmental Information, Corning in Clay County recorded 25 inches of snow on Jan. 22, 1918, the highest single day measurement in the supplied Arkansas county level records.
Other major snowfall events have affected communities across northern, central and western Arkansas, with several locations recording 18 inches or more.
Arkansas' Top 10 Historical One Day Snowfall Events The following records represent 10 distinct calendar dates, using the highest reported measurement for each date rather than counting multiple communities affected by the same storm separately.
25.0 inches — Corning, Clay County: Jan. 22, 1918. 22.0 inches — Perryville, Perry County: Dec. 26, 2012. 22.0 inches — Dardanelle, Yell County: Feb. 18, 1921. 21.0 inches — Monticello, Drew County: Dec. 31, 1876. 20.6 inches — Hot Springs, Garland County: March 16, 1892. 19.0 inches — Decatur, Benton County: Feb. 9, 2011. 18.0 inches — Omaha, Boone County: March 9, 1994. 18.0 inches — Mount Ida, Montgomery County: March 6, 1875. 18.0 inches — Okay, Howard County: Feb. 19, 1921. 18.0 inches — Long Pool, Pope County: Jan. 7, 1988. Why Arkansas' Snowfall History Matters Arkansas frequently experiences winter weather influenced by moisture from the Gulf of Mexico interacting with cold air moving southward.
When temperatures remain below freezing, these systems can produce significant snowfall, particularly across northern Arkansas and higher elevations of the Ozark and Ouachita mountains.
Interstates 40, 30 and 49 can become hazardous during winter storms, especially when snowfall is accompanied by freezing rain or ice.
The records also demonstrate that major snowfall events are not limited to one region of the state.
What Could This Mean for Winter 2026 27? A warmer than average winter does not necessarily mean a snow free winter.
Even during El Niño conditions, individual storm systems can produce substantial snowfall when atmospheric temperatures and moisture align.
However, historical snowfall records cannot determine whether Arkansas will experience another major winter storm during 2026 27.
For residents of Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith and Jonesboro, the historical data offers a reminder that extreme snowfall remains possible despite the state's generally milder winter climate.