Blizzard of 2011 far from worst on record

Weather records reveal more snow and much colder temperatures in northwest Arkansas' winters past

A bluejay clings to a tree branch near Gentry as snow falls around it during last week's snow storms.
A bluejay clings to a tree branch near Gentry as snow falls around it during last week's snow storms.

— Northwest Arkansas joined much of the nation during the past week as it endured its share of weather woes - ice, sleet, snow, wind and more snow.

And, if weather forecasters are correct, more snow may be on the way, or may have already arrived, by the time your Eagle Observer is delivered this Wednesday.

The winter precipitation last Monday and Tuesday, which measured five or six to perhaps as many as nine inches, clogged streets and highways, caused havoc on country roads and forced cancellation of four days of school. Sharp, strong winds pushed the feather-like snowflakes into eye-catching and vehicle-stopping drifts. And the thermometer bottomed out at minus 7 degrees Thursday morning.

Another four or five inches of snow Friday and Saturday capped the earlier snowfall and much remains on the ground as this is written Monday. School was also dismissed Monday at Decatur, Gentry and Gravette and in Gentry and Gravette on Tuesday, and school officials are hoping a predicted Tuesday night deluge of flakes doesn’t materialize.

Residents will remember “the blizzard of 2011” when future winter storms hit the Ozarks, just as heavy snowfalls and bittercold are kindling memories of similar conditions in the past.

The Worst Weather

The Blizzard of 2011, while unusual as records for the region show, is not the worst or most crippling winter storm. Checking local records of the past 75 years shows the deep snows, gale-force winds and bitter cold have been relatively common in the past.

Perhaps the worst winter storm experienced in the area occurred March 11 and 12, 1968. That storm saw more than a foot of heavy, wet snow blanketing the region. Driven by strong winds, drifts as deep as six feet blocked roads and highways, including Highway 72 west of Gravette. At least two persons were brought to the Gravette hospital by horseback because vehicle travel was impossible. Local government weather observer Glenn Justice described thestorm as “the worst ever to hit the area.”

That observation may be challenged when compared with the crippling ice storm of 2007 that resulted in power outages throughout northwest Benton County. Trees were riddled and some roof damage occurred. Some rural customers were without power for longer than two weeks. A Red Cross aid shelter operated for a time at the Gravette High School.

The redeeming factor during the worst five or six days was that temperatures remained relatively mild and travel was not adversely affected.

Snow and Cold

Snowfall amounts which have been recorded at the Gravette weather station included 10 and 11 inches on numerous occasions: Feb. 7, 1961; Jan. 11, 1962; March 11, 12, 1970; Feb. 8, 1980; Jan. 2, 1996; Dec. 13, 2000; and a whopping 14 inches on March 8, 1994.

What is even more startling is that the minus 7-degree temperature last Thursday seems warm compared with the many subzero readings in years past. Some of the coldest temps recorded at the local weather station include 10, 11 and 12 below during several winters and it was 14 below on Jan. 20, 1985; 16 below on Dec. 23, 1989, and 24 below on Jan. 18, 1930, followed by 23 below the next day.

But the coldest temperature ever recorded in Arkansas according to National Weather Service statistics occurred Feb. 13, 1905, when the mercury plunged to 29 degrees below zero at the Gravette weather station, which was then called Pond,located about three miles southeast of Gravette. That same day, the coldest day in Oklahoma was recorded at nearby Watts, Okla.. with a minus 24 degree reading.

The Pond Station

The Pond post office, opened Jan. 31, 1891, with Hiram Pond as postmaster. It ceased operation in 1904 when it combined with Gravette. A. F. Stevens continued to compile records at that site until 1934 when the equipment was moved into Gravette. Max, Julius and Elson Schmidt operated the weather station until Glenn Justice took over in January, 1958. He recorded information until his death in late 1978 when Dodie Evans took over the station.

Records show that recent years have not resulted in the bitter cold recorded earlier in the 20th Century but therehave been “some very cold spells,” Evans said.

Last Year’s Cold

The 7 degrees below zero last Thursday was the coldest temperature recorded locally since Feb. 4, 1996, when the thermometer bottomed out at 14 below. Two weeks later, the record high February temperature locally was 88 degrees, a reminder of the 75-degree day that occurred a few days before the current blizzard.

Just a reminder for persons who may have forgotten the weather just a year ago, a total of more than 11 inches of snow occurred during the first two weeks of January and the temperature dipped to minus 4 degrees on Jan. 9 last year.

People will remember the winter blizzard of 2011, but in the years ahead there really is no predicting what the fickle northwest Arkansas weather will bring.

News, Pages 1 on 02/09/2011