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Heavy Rain/Snow on March 2-4, 2008 (Pg1)
 
A classic Spring storm was affecting Arkansas in early March with heavy rain...and chances for severe weather and heavy snow.
 
The Warm Side of the Storm
Temperatures were in the 70s across much of Arkansas as of 3 pm CST on 03/02/2008. Well above normal temperatures were noted on the 1st, with afternoon readings in the 60s/70s. Moisture increased markedly from the Gulf Coast on the 2nd, yielding low clouds...mainly in southern and western Arkansas. The day featured breezy southerly winds and continued warm weather.
In the picture: Temperatures were in the 70s across much of Arkansas as of 3 pm CST on 03/02/2008. At the same time, low level moisture increased...with dewpoints in the 50s. Meanwhile, temperatures were in the 30s from the high Plains into the Rockies.

 

High Temperatures on March 2nd
Site Temp (°F)
Fayetteville (NW AR) 73°
Harrison (NC AR) 72°
Jonesboro (NE AR) 73°
Fort Smith (WC AR) 72°
Little Rock (C AR) 75°
North Little Rock (C AR) 73°
West Memphis (EC AR) 74°
Texarkana (SW AR) 73°
El Dorado (SC AR) 76°
Monticello (SE AR) 73°

 

A cold front approached the region from the Plains during the evening of the 2nd. Given an unstable atmosphere (warmth and moisture in place), severe thunderstorms developed from northwest Missouri into eastern Kansas, Oklahoma and north Texas. The satellite showed thunderstorms building in the central and southern Plains, with snow in the Rockies as of 545 CST on 03/02/2008.
In the picture: The satellite showed thunderstorms building in the central and southern Plains, with snow in the Rockies as of 545 CST on 03/02/2008. Low clouds were noted in eastern Texas and western Arkansas.

 

The pattern at 12 pm CST on 03/03/2008. Showers and thunderstorms built into the northwest half of Arkansas with the front through the early morning hours of the 3rd. Fortunately, there was no severe weather...but there were areas of heavy rain.
In the picture: The pattern at 12 pm CST on 03/03/2008...with areas of heavy rain behind a cold front in northern and western Arkansas. Temperatures behind the front were in the 30s and 40s, with 60s ahead of the front. Some rainfall amounts are listed below temperatures (mostly behind the front). "MSG" indicates where amounts were unavailable.

 

Through 12 pm CST on the 3rd, one to three inches of rain fell across the northern and western counties...with locally over four inches. Numerous Flash Flood Warnings were posted by the National Weather Service.

 

During the afternoon, areas of heavy rain spread into central and eastern Arkansas. Twenty four hour rainfall amounts through 6 pm CST on 03/03/2008.
In the picture: Twenty four hour rainfall amounts through 6 pm CST on 03/03/2008. "E" is estimated precipitation.

 

Twenty four hour rainfall totals through 6 pm CST on the 3rd included 4.88 inches at Fort Smith (Sebastian County), 3.29 inches at Jonesboro (Craighead County), 3.24 inches at Harrison (Boone County), 2.55 inches at DeQueen (Sevier County) and 2.45 inches at Fayetteville (Washington County).

In the northwest, temperatures dropped through the 30s...with some wintry precipitation developing by evening. In the southeast, a storm system formed along the front toward the Louisiana border...and was expected to trigger scattered strong to severe thunderstorms. A Tornado Watch was in effect during the afternoon hours, but severe weather stayed mainly to the south and east of the state.

 

More Information
There is more concerning the classic storm of March 2nd through the 4th. To check out the rest of the story, click here.