Priority was given to the most extreme (i.e. severe) events as well as the events that affected the largest areas (geographically) and the most people. Several of the events consisted of multiple weather phenomena (such as tornadoes and floods or snowstorms and bitter cold Arctic outbreaks) while others were mostly one phenomenon (such as a significant killer tornado or statewide winter storm).

Naturally, there will be varying opinions on the rankings of the events, with the rankings open to argument. With that said, here are the most significant events...  

1. The Floods of 1927

During the spring of 1927 persistent heavy rains led to widespread river flooding in Arkansas. The worst flooding was on the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers. Many record high river stages were set that Spring and a lot of them still stand. In addition, there were several significant tornadoes that Spring. The most notable tornadoes were at Green Forest on March 18 and at Strong on May 9.

2. The Storm System of December 2-3 in 1982

This was a major tornado outbreak, flash flood event and river flood event. There were tornadoes through the 2nd into the morning of the 3rd. Rose Bud was hit twice in two hours and there were two fatalities from a tornado in Little Rock. Two tornadoes passed through Pulaski County. A squall line stalled in north central into west central Arkansas on the night of the 2nd and the resulting heavy rains caused serious flash flooding. The worst flash flood was at Clinton. Serious river flooding followed which lasted for several days. The most notable river flooding was on the Buffalo River when the river rose over 50 feet and covered the old U.S. Highway 65 bridge near St. Joe.

3. The Tornado Outbreak of March 21 in 1952

This was the deadliest tornado outbreak in Arkansas on record.  Tornadoes were reported across the state with the most serious tornadoes in White County. Judsonia was the hardest hit. Another major killer tornado went from near England in Lonoke County to Woodruff County. Most of the 111 total fatalities in Arkansas from this outbreak came from the Judsonia and Lonoke County to Woodruff County tornadoes.

4. The Tornado Outbreak of January 21 in 1999

This produced the most confirmed tornadoes in Arkansas in one tornado outbreak on record. There were 56 tornadoes confirmed across Arkansas with 8 fatalities. White County was hardest hit this time as well. The most significant tornadoes hit the south and east sides of downtown Little Rock as well as McRae and Beebe in White County.

5. The Tornado Outbreak of June 5 in 1916

There were 34 reported tornadoes across Arkansas with 87 total fatalities in this outbreak. These are the second highest totals of tornadoes and deaths in the state from one tornado outbreak. The most significant tornado hit Heber Springs.

6. The Ice Storms of December of 2000

Two major ice storms hit most of Arkansas in a two week period. The first ice storm on December 12-13 dumped one to three inches of freezing rain with the Little Rock and Pine Bluff areas the hardest hit. The second ice storm from December 25-28 also dumped one to three inches of freezing rain again with west central and southern Arkansas the hardest hit. In both storms, about 300,000 homes and businesses lost electric power...and some areas were without electricity for over one week. It was considered the costliest and most damaging weather event in Arkansas history.

7. The Dust Bowl Drought (especially in 1934)

Arkansas was involved in a prolonged drought during the 1930s which resulted in dust storms and much economic misery to go along with the depression. Many Summers from 1930 through 1939 were hot and dry. The worst dust storms in Arkansas came during 1934. The first dust storm was on April 11 and several others followed through the Spring and Summer. Ozark had 54 consecutive days of 100 degree weather during 1934 which is the state record for most consecutive 100 degree days.

8. Snowstorm of January 10-12 in 1918

This probably produced the most snowfall in Arkansas from one Winter storm and was followed by a severe Arctic outbreak. Up to 30 inches of snow was reported on the ground in the Calico Rock area after this snowstorm and deep snow generally covered the northern one half of the state. After this, Gravette and Searcy had -20 degrees and Little Rock had a low of -8 on the 12th which is the lowest temperature on record for this century in Little Rock. The Arkansas River reportedly froze over to the point where cars and wagons could cross the river on the ice.

9. The Tornado Outbreak of March 1 in 1997

A major tornado outbreak across the state from southwest to northeast. This produced the most fatalities in one tornado as well as in one outbreak in Arkansas in almost 30 years. There were 25 fatalities in the state and it produced the first double digit killer tornado in the state since the 1968 Jonesboro tornado. Arkadelphia and Southern Pulaski county were hardest hit.

10. The Near Blizzard of January 28 in 1966

Probably the closest thing to a blizzard in Arkansas during the century. Heavy snow fell statewide accompanied by strong winds followed by an Arctic outbreak. Pine Bluff had the most snowfall with 12.5 inches. Temperatures then dropped below zero in many areas with -10 at Leola and Sparkman being the coldest.

11. The Thanksgiving Day Tornado Outbreak of November 25 in 1926

There were 27 reported tornadoes and 51 fatalities in all across the state. The hardest hit areas were Moscow in Jefferson County and a path from Greenbrier to Quitman to Heber Springs.

12. The Summer of 1954

A heat wave covered Arkansas from June 7 through September 10 and there was an accompanying drought. It was the hottest Summer on record in Little Rock and there were a record 46 days of 100 degree weather and 115 days of 90 degree weather. There was 100 degree weather on 16 out of 17 days and 10 consecutive 100 degree days during that period. This was very similar to the heat wave of 1980, but most of the hot weather statistics for this Summer were higher...thus it gets the higher ranking.

13. The Summer of 1980

A heat wave covered Arkansas from June 22 through September 17 and an accompanying drought. It produced the hottest month on record in Little Rock. There was a record 20 consecutive days of 100 degree weather which included 10 consecutive days of 105 degrees. There were 41 days of 100 degree weather and 103 days of 90 degree weather in Little Rock this time.

14. Prolonged Arctic Outbreak December 18-31 in 1983

Arkansas was under continuous Arctic cold for nearly two weeks as temperatures remained constantly below freezing in most of the state through this period. There were several ice storms and light snowfalls. Most areas had a light snow or ice cover for Christmas. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were the coldest with highs in the single digits and teens and wind chills in the 30s and 40s below zero. Lows were mostly below zero. Little Rock remained below freezing for 13 consecutive days which is a record and this caused ice to form on the Arkansas River.

15. Ice Storm of February 9-11 in 1994

A statewide ice storm with the most serious damage in southern and eastern sections. It was probably the costliest and most disruptive ice storm in Arkansas history. Some places were without electricity for two weeks.

16. Snowstorm of January 6-7 in 1988

Heavy snow fell across the entire state with many places getting at least ten inches. There was 16 to 17 inches in the Heber Springs area and Little Rock had its heaviest snowfall of the century with 12 to 13 inches.

17. Late Summer Heat Wave and Drought of 2000

A dry period began at the beginning of July and continued through October in most of the state. This was part of a long-term drought that began in the Spring of 1998. A heat wave set in by mid-August with widespread 100 degree temperatures across the state through early September. Little Rock had its hottest month on record in August. There were 11 consecutive days of 100 degrees from August 25 through September 4 and reached an all-time record high temperature of 111 degrees on August 30. Many records for heat for so late in the season were broken.

18. The Warren Tornado of January 3 in 1949

The deadliest single tornado in Arkansas during the century. A tornado hit Warren with 57 fatalities. There were several other tornadoes in the state that day.

19. The Ice Storm and Arctic Cold of January 31-February 2 in 1951

An ice storm covered much of the state but some areas got up to seven inches of snow. This was followed on February 2 by lows of -10 or less in much of the state, -24 at Mammoth Spring and -5 at Little Rock.

20. The Brinkley Tornado of March 8 in 1909

There were 49 fatalities at Brinkley. This was part of a major outbreak from south central into eastern Arkansas with a total of 61 fatalities in the state.

21. The Snowstorm of December 22 in 1963

Heavy snow fell mostly in central and southern Arkansas with 10 to 13 inches of snow common. Little Rock got 9.8 inches. This gave most of the state a white christmas and disrupted holiday travel for many.

22. The Jonesboro Tornado of May 15 in 1968

There were 34 fatalities at Jonesboro. This was the last double digit killer tornado in Arkansas for the next 29 years. Oil Trough was also hit with 7 fatalities and there were several other tornadoes in the northeast.

23. The Little Rock Flash Flood of September 13 in 1978

Torrential rains during the early morning resulted in a flash flood in western and southwestern Little Rock as well as adjacent areas of Saline into Garland Counties. There were 10 fatalities...mainly from people trying to drive through flooded areas.

24. The Jonesboro Tornado of May 27 in 1973

There were three fatalities at Jonesboro this time. This was the most damaging tornado in Arkansas up to that time. Several other tornadoes occurred in the state that day.

25. The Drought of 1953 and Dry Spell at Wilson

A statewide drought during the Summer and Fall of 1953 resulted in 100 degree weather through the month of September and even into early October in some areas. Wilson in Mississippi County went 101 days (from July 18 through October 26) without measurable rainfall which is the longest dry spell in the state.

26. The Fort Smith Tornado of April 21 in 1996

A tornado hit Downtown Fort Smith then continued into Van Buren. Another tornado hit St. Paul in Madison County about an hour later. there were 4 fatalities in all.

27. The Hot Springs Flash Floods

There were several flash floods affecting Hot Springs.  The most notable flash floods were on June 24 in 1910, February 15 in 1956, July 16 in 1963 and May 19 in 1990. The most recent flash flood featured cars floating down Central Avenue in Downtown Hot Springs.