Arkansas rarely receives accumulations of snow. While the state holds the record for Most Tornadoes in One Day in January, tornado season usually begins in March, dies out in June and resurfaces in September. Summer (latter May - September) is hot and humid with ninety to one hundred degree temperatures very common in August and September.

Spring and Fall are the best times to visit if you're not accustomed to "real" humidity. October provides optimum viewing of the beautiful fall colors of the Ozarks in northwest Arkansas. Water temperatures for swimming in the state's many lakes is good May - September.

January and February are usually the coldest months, though January 2006 averaged around 70. During those months it is not unusual to see temperatures swing  from 70 to 20 in 24 hours. Temperatures below zero in Arkansas' winter are much more rare than summer temps above 100.