Heavy Snow in the Ozarks and Ouachitas. On April 13th-14th, 1980, a late-season winter storm hit Arkansas, producing snow in areas around the state, and measurable snow mainly in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains. Snowfall amounts were generally light, ranging four inches to less. However, snow amounts in the higher terrain ranged from 9-12 inches in spots. The highest reported snowfall was 12” at Queen Wilhelmina State Park (Polk County). #arwx
Random story from our AR #wxhistory guy [at the National Weather Service Little Rock office]…”Years ago, we were expecting light snow in the state in April. I was talking to one of the more experienced meteorologists who’d been forecasting for many years before I ever arrived here at LZK, He told me, ‘I remember, one year it snowed in April. Everyone around here was going on and on about what a nice Summer we were going to have…how it was going to be cool or cold. You know what year that was? 1980!!!'”
