Ice Storm — Baxter, Arkansas

1999-01-01 to 1999-01-02 · Baxter, Arkansas

Wider weather episode

A major ice storm developed over northern and central Arkansas during the morning of January 1st and lasted through the evening hours. The icing was found mainly north of Clarksville, Perryville, Little Rock and Hazen. Precipitation began developing over southern and western Arkansas and gradually spread eastward. The precipitation was mostly in the form of rain which froze on contact with roadways and exposed surfaces in northern and central sections of the state. In portions of northern Arkansas, more than an inch of ice was reported...with extensive tree and power line damage. At one point during the evening of the January 1st, up to 85 percent of Boone County had lost power. It was estimated that up to 100,000 customers were without power during the event. Numerous traffic accidents occurred, but only minor injuries were reported. However, the ice did claim one life. A man in Baxter County slipped on the ice while carrying a gun, with the gun accidently firing...killing the man. Warmer air was trying to surge northward during the period, but with slow progress. From 6pm on January 1st to 12am on January 2nd, the surface temperature at Harrison remained at 30 degrees. Meanwhile, the temperature at Pine Bluff had climbed from 43 degrees to 53 degrees. The warmer air would eventually take over, with heavy rain developing across central and southern Arkansas. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals ending at 6am on the 2nd included 2 to 4 inch amounts generally south of Clarksville, Heber Springs and Newport. The storm system producing the rain moved east of the state during the morning hours of the 2nd. Behind the system, colder air changed precipitation to snow in portions of northern Arkansas. 1 to as much as 5 inches of snow was reported in Baxter...Boone...Fulton...Marion...Newton and Searcy Counties.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5685721. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.