The start date of winter in Arkansas depends on the specific definition one chooses to use. The distinction between astronomical and meteorological criteria is important, especially since Arkansas sits in the transition zone of the mid-South and experiences highly variable weather patterns. Understanding these two official starting points, and how they relate to the actual arrival of cold weather, provides a clearer picture of the season’s onset.
The Astronomical Definition
The astronomical definition of winter is based on the Earth’s orbit and the tilt of its axis relative to the sun. This perspective defines the season by the winter solstice, which marks the precise moment the Northern Hemisphere is tilted farthest away from the sun. The solstice is the shortest day of the year, having the fewest hours of daylight. In the Northern Hemisphere, this event occurs consistently between December 20 and December 23, with December 21 or 22 being the most common dates. This date is fixed by celestial mechanics and is independent of local weather conditions in Arkansas.
The Meteorological Definition
Meteorologists and climatologists use a different, more practical definition for the seasons. This system divides the year into four fixed three-month periods to align with the annual temperature cycle and simplify the comparison of climate statistics. Meteorological winter begins on December 1st and lasts through the end of February. This fixed calendar period is preferred for statistical analysis, record-keeping, and seasonal forecasting because it consistently groups the three coldest calendar months together.
When Cold Weather Actually Arrives
For residents of Arkansas, the experience of winter often lags behind both the December 1st and December 21st starting dates. The first hard freeze (32°F) typically arrives statewide in late October for the northern and western mountains, and around the first two weeks of November for the rest of the state. This initial cold snap usually signals the end of the growing season but is not indicative of the sustained cold that defines winter.
The highest probability for sustained, deep cold air masses occurs after the New Year. Average monthly temperatures for December often hover around a high of 53°F and a low of 34°F in central locations like Little Rock. January consistently brings the state’s coldest averages, with highs dropping to around 49°F and lows around 29°F.
The first measurable snowfall often aligns with this mid-winter climatology, occurring more frequently in January than in December. Central Arkansas averages less than an inch of snow in December, but the average increases significantly in January. The sustained drop in temperature and the increased likelihood of frozen precipitation confirm that the core of winter typically settles over the state in the first month of the calendar year.
Geographic Differences Across Arkansas
The onset of cold weather is highly dependent on location within Arkansas due to the state’s varied topography. The mountainous regions of Northwest Arkansas and the Ozarks experience the earliest and most severe winter conditions. Here, the average first 32°F freeze often happens in late October, and average January low temperatures can be in the low 20s, such as the 23°F low recorded in Siloam Springs.
Higher elevations in the northern tier are more susceptible to significant snowfall, with some areas averaging over three inches in January. Conversely, the central, southern, and Delta regions experience a milder start to the season. The first freeze in the southern part of the state generally holds off until mid-November.
The southern half of Arkansas is less prone to heavy snow events and more likely to deal with the hazards of freezing rain and ice storms. The combination of a later freeze date and less frequent snowfall means the start of winter feels weeks later in the southern and eastern lowlands compared to the colder, higher terrain of the north.