10 Things No One Tells You About Surviving An Arkansas Winter
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas weather has been extra crazy so far this season. Last week we started with a snowy -2° and ended the week with Sunday at 74° with tornadoes. The Farmers’ Almanac was correct in its prediction of the “cold, dry, wet, and wild winter,” with our state being in the “wild” section, of course. Here’s some advice we should all keep in mind as the winter season makes its way to the Natural State.
Usually our hardest winter season hits between January and February but that doesn't mean we won't have plenty of winter previews before that. Having a white Christmas? Maybe. Frozen Thanksgiving? Sure, why not. Saving all the winter for one week of craziness? Yeah, that can happen too.
Snow days in general are an exciting event. It's impossible to frown after bundling up and making snowmen all day. However, snow days in Arkansas aren't always snowflakes and smiles. Most of ours happen because of ice. Ice and sloppy slush definitely put a damper on the no-school festivities.
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If you've lived here for 5 minutes during winter then you know Arkansans (bless our hearts) cannot drive in inclement weather. Snow (or ice) days for some still means work for the majority of us, so take heed of this piece of Twitter advice: If you rarely drive on snow, just pretend you're taking your grandma to church.
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We may rarely be snowed in during winter but power outages are a real problem Arkansans have to deal with. If you're taking advantage of that generator sale for the season go ahead and get the warranty too.
Don't get me wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong with being prepared. Power outages and bad roads can keep us stuck indoors and no one should ever be kept from enjoying a week's supply of bread and milk. Stop fighting over the last loaf and instead get an extra can of soup or two any time you shop this month.
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Severe winter weather doesn't just mean snow in this state. Sure, we may get some snowy inches here and there, but it's the "wild" part of the weather you need to be prepared for. Thunderstorms, hail, ice and even tornadoes are likely this season.
Don't be that guy that wears shorts no matter the temperature. The key to surviving winter in Arkansas (or any of its wild seasons) is to wear layers and pack a jacket. What starts off as a window-scrapping cold morning can easily turn into pleasant springtime temperatures, even in the middle of January.
Arkansas is undoubtedly the most beautiful state in the nation. That goes for wintertime, too. As long as we're not in the middle of a snowstorm or tornado, it's well worth the chill to come outside for a hike. The trails may be beautiful year round but there's nothing more spectacular than the sight of a frozen waterfall.
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It starts with the meteorologists; they get hyped up on the possibility of snow or severe storms and won't stop going on about how terrible it could get. This spreads to everyone else and next thing you know the store shelves are empty. Usually the predicted 3 inches of snow ends up being 1/2 an inch of a sputtering, wintry mix. Be prepared but don't be panicked.
Sure, we laugh and tell this idiom to any out-of-towner, but there's nowhere the adage is more true than our state. The River Valley area literally went through every season last week. There's no telling what will happen during this week.
What’s your piece of advice for surviving a wild winter in Arkansas? Share with us in the comments below!
If you need some hiking inspiration, try these winter trails.
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