Discover the 8 Coldest Places in Arkansas

The climate in Arkansas, the ‘natural state’ is generally advertised on the ‘humid subtropical’ side. Typically mild and pleasant throughout the year, winters in the state can feel like a warm bear hug rather than the conventional chilly, cold, and freezing. In Little Rock, Arkansas, for instance, daily high temperatures in January are around 51°F, and winter readings hover around 30°F. However, that said, there can be wide variations and there are sections of the state that experience pretty frigid temperatures. The hilly areas of Northwestern Arkansas especially can get hit with heavy snow and ice in the winter. This article explores some of the coldest places in Arkansas.

The 8 Coldest Places in Arkansas

This list of the coldest places in Arkansas is based on an analysis of average temperature trends in the state, utilizing data generated by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)-NOAA.

1. Town of Gilbert

Often referred to as the ‘Coolest place in Arkansas’, the town of Gilbert is not just cool for its coldest temperatures but also for its inspiring art and exuberant adventures. The charming, petite town, nestled along the banks of the Buffalo National River experiences an average low of 23° Fahrenheit in January. The unique cold weather of this town is attributed to its location in the Ozark Mountains, an ancient range once surrounded by sea.

Gilbert stands as one of Arkansas’s premier outdoor adventure communities. The town offers a plethora of activities such as kayaking and canoeing on the Buffalo National River, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, camping, cycling, stargazing, and much more.

2. Boone County

Boone County, set in the heart of the Ozark Mountain Highlands, along the Missouri border, is another area in the state that records some of the coldest temperatures. Winter weather averages in the coldest month of January range between 48.2° Fahrenheit and 28.4° Fahrenheit. The county experiences some of the heaviest snowfalls. On March 9, 1994, the county recorded as much as 18 inches of snow over just 24 hours.

3. Benton County

Benton County sits in the Northwest corner of Arkansas. The county is a part of the Ozark Plateau which naturally makes it a contender for the coldest places in the state. The average temperatures in January can range from a high of around 51°F to a low of 34°F The coldest temperature ever recorded in Arkansas occurred in a historic community situated within Benton County. In this historical community called ‘Pond‘, near Gravette, temperatures plummeted to 29 degrees Fahrenheit on February 13, 1905.

4. Fulton County

Located in the northcentral part of Arkansas, winters in Fulton County can be chilly and wet. The colder temperatures can be attributed to the county’s northerly position at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. According to weather-us, average temperatures in January can range from 51.4°F to 35.4°F. Snowfall is, however, little, and most years the county only receives an inch or two of snow. One of the highest snowfall maximums recorded in Fulton County was in February 1993, when a heavy snowfall buried the small town of Salem under 13 inches of snow.

5. Marion County

Nestled within the scenic Ozark Mountain range, Marion County sits in the northcentral part of Arkansas. It shares its borders with Missouri. The diverse topography of Marion County featuring mountainous regions in the north and major waterways such as the Buffalo National River, the White River, and the Crooked Creek play a significant role in shaping the climate of this county. The expansive Bull Shoals Lake situated in the northern part of the county is spread out across 34,000 acres. Temperature averages for the month of January range from 49° Fahrenheit to 33° Fahrenheit. However, snowfall in the area remains relatively light compared to other parts of the state.

6. Newton County

Newton County, a hill county with elevations ranging from 700 feet to over 2000 feet is one of the other areas in Arkansas that holds the distinction of being one of the coldest places in the state. The county hosts a mountainous terrain including parts of the Ozark Mountains that are responsible for the cold surges, especially during winter. Winter temperatures in the county can fluctuate between 45° Fahrenheit and 29° Fahrenheit.

7. Carroll County

Carroll County located in the northwestern part of Arkansas, is set along the Ozark Mountains region and the foothills of the Boston Mountain. Average temperatures in January fluctuate between 45° Fahrenheit to 29° Fahrenheit. The county gets about nine inches of snow on average per year. Carroll County is home to an attractive stash of natural wonders. The Kings River, Table Rock Lake, and Beaver Lake are some of the prominent attractions in the area.

8. Baxter County

Baxter County, located in the north-central part of Arkansas has a rugged and mountainous terrain. With elevations ranging from 800 feet to 1,400 feet, the county experiences cooler conditions, especially due to its elevated landscape. Average temperatures in Baxter County during the month of January range between 45° Fahrenheit and 29° Fahrenheit. The county has an abundance of water bodies including the North Fork River, White River, Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Norfork, and the Buffalo National River. Thanks to the presence of these water bodies, Baxter County is home to some of the finest water-based recreation opportunities.

Summary of the Coldest Places in Arkansas