Western Benton County receives brief snow fall

DECATUR — The weather has been anything but normal for the four state area since Dec. 18, when the area experienced its first major snow of the season from Winter Storm Flynn.

The exceptional weather continued through New Year’s Eve.

While most of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas remained on the rainy side of Winter Storms Gail and Harold during Christmas week, it was Ivy and John that brought heavy snow, strong winds, ice and rain to the area.

After a beautiful sunshiny day Dec. 28, the evening began turning cloudy. By Dec. 29, the temperature dropped into the mid-30s and rain began to fall in Northwest Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. By the next day, the region from West Texas to Maine faced heavy snow, freezing rain, ice and hazardous road conditions.

In the Decatur, Gentry and Gravette area, most residents had to deal with gusty wind and rain from Winter Storm Ivy on Dec. 30’s morning. However, that all changed during the early afternoon when the rain changed over to heavy snow and the area was submerged in mild blizzard conditions.

With temperatures hovering just above freezing, the day turned to rain on New Year’s Eve. By midnight the rain got harder but this would still not stop people from bringing in the New Year with fireworks as Winter Storm John moved into the area.

The rain continued off and on through Friday and into Saturday morning. But once again Mother Nature had a surprise in store as heavy snow began to fall Saturday afternoon. The storm, which was the tail end of John, dropped snow for about three hours. With very little accumulation, area drivers faced good road conditions.

As Winter Storm John cleared, the area was left with partly cloudy skies but alas one more surprise was in store.

In Springdale, a light snow began to fall, really not snow but fine ice crystals, making for a beautiful sunset in the area.

This is just a start. There is no way of telling what the remaining winter months may have in store for the area.