Winter Storm — Madison, Arkansas

2022-02-23 to 2022-02-24 · Madison, Arkansas

Wider weather episode

Arctic air spread into the Southern Plains on the 22nd, ahead of a strong storm system translating into the southwestern United States. The first disturbance moved into the Southern Plains on the 23rd, resulting in a large area of precipitation to develop across northwestern Arkansas. A layer of air several thousand feet above the ground remained above freezing, with very cold air below this layer extending to the ground. This scenario resulted in sleet, which was mixed with snow in northern areas, and mixed with freezing rain in southern areas. Thunderstorms were embedded in this area of precipitation, resulting in heavy accumulation rates. Much of northwestern Arkansas received between one half and two inches of sleet by the late afternoon of the 23rd. Very light snow and freezing drizzle occurred intermittently throughout the early morning hours of the 24th across much of the region.

A second disturbance approached the area during the morning of the 24th, resulting in another round of sleet and freezing rain. Thunderstorms were once again embedded in the precipitation. Additional accumulations of sleet and ice occurred across much of northwestern Arkansas on the 24th, with the precipitation ending from west to east during the late morning and early afternoon.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1006248. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.