
Todd Yakoubian
Historic February

We went from wondering if it was ever going to snow again to saying "STOP!"
Will we ever experience anything like it again in our lifetime? I always say, "never say never to Arkansas weather", but I kinda doubt it. We lived through history. It was a rough time for many, but I see the kids had a good time playing in the snow. Hope those memories last forever.
Thanks to the NWS Little Rock for compiling all the records.
ALL-TIME RECORD COLD
MURFREESBORO -13° ON FEBRUARY 17TH, 2021 (old record -7° 1/12/62)
BEEDEVILLE -7° ON FEBRUARY 16TH AND 16TH, 2021 (old record -6° 1/20/85
LITTLE ROCK AFB -6° ON FEBRUARY 16TH, 2021 (old record -3° 1/12/62)
STUTTGART -4° FEBRUARY 16TH, 2021 (old record 6° 1-17-2018)
HOT SPRINGS -3° FEBRUARY 16TH, 2021 (old record -2° 1/11/62)
SNOWIEST MONTH EVER
LITTLE ROCK 20.3''
SHERIDAN 19''
NORTH LITTLE ROCK 18.7''
KEO 18.4"
FORDYCE 16.7''
LITTLE ROCK AFB 16.2''
MALVERN 15.3''
MURFREESBORO 15''
DES ARC 13''
MORRILTON 13''
BEEDEVILLE 10.7''
SNOWIEST FEBRUARY ON RECORD
LITTLE ROCK 20.3''
SHERIDAN 19''
NORTH LITTLE ROCK 18.7''
PINE BLUFF 18.5''
KEO 18.4''
FORDYCE 16.7''
LITTLE ROCK AFB 16.2''
ANTOINE 16.1''
ARKADELPHIA 16.0''
MALVERN 15.3''
MURFREESBORO 15''
HARDY 13.5''
PERRY 13.5''
DANVILLE 13''
DES ARC 13''
MORRILTON 13''
MAMMOTH SPRING 12.5''
STAR CITY 11.5''
BIG FORK 10.7''
The following is taken directly from the NWS statement https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=LZK&product=PNS&format=CI&version=3&glossary=0
Coldest February High Temperatures at North Little Rock
1.15 Feb 2021 - 12*
2.01 Feb 1985 - 16
3.04 Feb 1989 - 17
4.17 Feb 2021 19*
5.05 Feb 1989 - 19
Coldest February Low Temperatures at North Little Rock
1.16 Feb 2021 - -1*
2.04 Feb 1996 - 4
3.11 Feb 1981 - 5
4.09 Feb 1979 - 5
5.15 Feb 2021 - 6*
Highest February Daily Snowfall at North Little Rock
1.15 Feb 2021 9.0*
2.17 Feb 2021 7.3*
3.06 Feb 1979 6.7
4.09 Feb 2011 6.2
5.13 Feb 1997 5.5
Highest February 24-hour Snowfall at North Little Rock
1. 14-15 Feb 2021 10.9*
2. 06-07 Feb 1979 - 9.1
3. 17 Feb 2021 7.3*
4. 31 Jan-01 Feb 1985 7.2
5. 09-10 Feb 2011 6.2
Snowiest Februaries at North Little Rock
1.2021 18.7*
2.1979 15.6
3.2011 10.2
4.2003 - 9.3
5.1985 - 6.6
Highest Daily Snowfall at North Little Rock
1.06 Jan 1988 10.5
2.15 Feb 2021 - 9.0*
3.25 Dec 2012 - 8.6
4.17 Feb 2021 - 7.3*
5.22 Jan 2016 - 6.9
Highest 24-hour Snowfall at North Little Rock
1.06-07 Jan 1988 12.0
2.14-15 Feb 2021 10.9*
3.25-26 Dec 2012 10.3
4.06-07 Feb 1979 - 9.1
5. 17 Feb 2021 - 7.3*
Greatest Snow Depth at North Little Rock
1.18 Feb 2021 14*
2.07 Jan 1988 12
3.19 Feb 2021 11*
4.08 Jan 1988 11
5.26 Dec 2012 - 9
Snowiest Year at North Little Rock
1.1979 19.1
2.2021 18.7*
3.2011 17.1
4.1985 15.6
5.1978 15.1
Snowiest Months at North Little Rock
1.Feb. 2021 18.7*
2.Feb. 1979 15.6
3.Jan. 1988 12.4
4.Dec. 2012 10.3
5.Feb. 2011 10.2
Snowiest Seasons at North Little Rock
1.Winter 1978-1979 19.2
2.Winter 2020-2021 18.8*
3.Winter 2010-2011 15.7
4.Winter 1984-1985 15.4
5.Winter 1977-1978 15.0
Snowiest 3-Month Period at North Little Rock
1.Dec. 1978 Feb. 1979 19.2
2.Jan. 1979 Mar. 1979 19.1
3.Dec. 2020 Feb. 2021 18.8*
4.Jan. 2011 Mar. 2011 15.7
5.Dec. 2010 Feb. 2011 15.7
Highest Snow Depth Average by Month at North Little Rock
1.Feb. 2021 2.3*
2.Jan. 1988 1.8
3.Jan. 1978 1.8
4.Feb. 1979 1.6
5.Feb. 1985 1.4
At Little Rock, the low temperature of -1 on Feb. 16 marked the first reading at or below zero in the month of February since 1951.
Since temperature records began in 1879, this is only the sixth date with a reading below zero in the month of February at Little Rock.
This was also the coldest temperature at Little Rock since Dec. 23, 1989, or the date with the previously most recent below zero reading. The high temperature of 14 on the 15th most recently tied February 8, 1933 for the 2nd coldest on record in the month of February, and for the 6th coldest high temperature of all time.
There have been four days during the month with low temperatures in the single digits or colder. This is the most such number in February since 1899, and the second highest on record for the month. It's also the most in a year, so far, since 1989.
Measurable snowfall (that is snow greater than a trace) was on the ground from February 15th through the 22nd, a total of eight days. This was the highest number of days with snow depth of 1 or higher at Little Rock since 1988 and tied January 7-14, 1988 for the 5th longest period on record. This period was also the longest period with a snow depth of 2 or higher since Jan. 11-Feb. 2, 1918 and the 3rd longest such period on record. Basically, in this eight-day period, Little Rock recorded the longest stretch of snow depth at or above 5, 6, 7, 8, and
9 inches since January of 1918, and the 2nd longest such period on record.
The 11.8 inches of snow that fell on February 17th marked the highest calendar day snowfall on record in the month of February at Little Rock. The previous record was 8.5 inches on February 23, 1966. This also marked the 2nd highest calendar day snowfall of all time in Little Rock. March 6, 1875 remains the all-time highest calendar day snowfall at Little Rock, with 12.0 inches.
The 11.8 inches of snow that fell on February 17th also marked the highest 24-hour snowfall on record in the month of February at Little Rock. The previous record was 11.2 inches on February 18-19, 1921. This was also the highest 24-hour snowfall at Little Rock since January 6-7, 1988 and ranks as the 4th highest on record. Only the following dates were higher; March 6, 1875 (12.0), January 6-7, 1988 (12.4), and January 17-18, 1893 (13.0).
The 8.2 inches of snow in a 24-hour period February 14th-15th ranks as the 4th highest 24-hour snowfall on record in February.
This February has been the snowiest month at Little Rock since
January of 1918, and has edged out January 1918 as the snowiest month on record. Since records began in the Little Rock area in 1874, this is only one of two months with snowfall of 20 inches or more (the other being January 1918).
The snow depth of 15 inches measured on February 18th marked the
highest measured snow depth at Little Rock since January 21, 1918 and tied January 21, 1918 for the greatest snow depth on record. It is also now the highest recorded February snow depth, beating out 9 from February 19, 1921. Not surprisingly, a snow depth of 11 inches measured on February 19th most recently tied with January 20, 1918 for the 4th highest snow depth on record at Little Rock. As far as average snow depth, the month of February 2021 will end with an average snow depth of 2.1. This is the highest average snow depth in any given month at Little Rock since January of 1918, and the 2nd highest on record for
any given month.
Coldest February High Temperatures at Little Rock
1.12 Feb 1899 5
2.14 Feb 2021 14*
3.08 Feb 1933 14
4.10 Feb 1899 14
Coldest February Low Temperatures at Little Rock
1.12 Feb 1899 - -12
2.02 Feb 1951 - -5
3.13 Feb 1899 - -4
4.11 Feb 1899 - -2
5.07 Feb 1899 - -2
6.16 Feb 2021 - -1*
Highest February Daily Snowfall at Little Rock
1.17 Feb 2021 11.8*
2.23 Feb 1966 - 8.5
3.18 Feb 1921 - 8.2
4.15 Feb 2021 - 7.7*
5.08 Feb 2010 - 7.2
Highest February 24-hour Snowfall at Little Rock
1. 17 Feb 2021 11.8*
2.18-19 Feb 1921 11.2
3.22-23 Feb 1966 - 9.6
4.14-15 Feb 2021 - 8.2*
5. 08 Feb 2010 - 7.2
Snowiest Months at Little Rock
1.Feb. 2021 20.3*
2.Jan. 1918 20.0
3.Jan. 1988 13.6
4.Feb. 1921 13.1
5.Jan. 1893 13.0
Snowiest Days at Little Rock
1.06 Mar 1875 12.0
2.17 Feb 2021 11.8*
3.05 Jan 1960 11.3
4.18 Jan 1893 11.2
5.06 Jan 1988 10.4
Snowiest 24 Hour Period at Little Rock
1.17-18 Jan 1893 13.0
2.06-07 Jan 1988 12.4
3. 06 Mar 1875 12.0
4. 17 Feb 2021 11.8*
5. 05 Jan 1960 11.3
Greatest Snow Depth at Little Rock
1.18 Feb 2021 15*
2.21 Jan 1918 15
3.07 Jan 1988 13
4.22 Jan 1918 12
5.19 Feb 2021 11*
THANKS AGAIN TO THE NWS LITTLE ROCK FOR ALL THE INFO. HERE'S THE LINK https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=LZK&product=PNS&format=CI&version=3&glossary=0