Canadian high pressure was setting up over the Ohio Valley, and was bringing subfreezing temperatures and dry conditions to northern sections of the state. A storm system was approaching from the southwest, with moisture thrown into the cold and dry air. Rain began across the southern counties on the 7th, but it was uncertain what would fall from the sky farther north on the 8th/9th as moisture slowly increased toward the Missouri border.
The forecast was not a slam dunk because of three huge factors. First, a dry atmosphere over the northern counties was eroding moisture arriving from the south. Given this, it was difficult to know how much moisture would be available to produce snow and ice. Predicting accumulations accurately was a challenge. Second, forecast models showed a layer of above freezing air aloft. This was verified by several balloon launches on the 8th. At 600 am CST, it was 42 degrees at 4900 feet over North Little Rock (Pulaski County). At 1200 pm CST, it was still 40 degrees overhead, and 36 degrees at 300 pm CST. As long as this was happening, snow was going to melt before reaching the ground. Not knowing when this warm layer would disappear affected the snow forecast. Finally, with melting occurring, it was important to know if temperatures would stay below freezing near the ground, or warm up a little. If it was the former, then freezing rain would be a huge issue. Any warming would limit how much icing took place.
In the end, the warm layer went away late on the 8th/early on the 9th in parts of the north. This allowed snow to fall for a few hours in places. At Mountain View (Stone County), three inches of powder was measured, with two to three inches at Dennard (Van Buren County), and two inches at Botkinburg (Van Buren County), Calico Rock (Izard County), Leslie (Searcy County), Marshall (Searcy County), and Wayton (Newton County).
The warm layer stuck around for most of the event in the northeast, and ground temperatures hovered around 32 degrees. This turned into an ice storm for several counties. At least three quarters of an inch of ice accrued on exposed objects near Velvet Ridge (White County), with half to three quarters of an inch at Alicia (Lawrence County), Augusta (Woodruff County), Batesville (Independence County), Steprock (White County), and Swifton (Jackson County). Because of the ice, at least 40,000 power outages were reported, with trees and tree limbs downed.

Winter Weather in JOHNSON, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 02:00:00 to 08-DEC-18 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The observer in Ozone measured 1.1 inches of snow and a trace of freezing rain was reported by the emergency manager. The EM mentioned trees and elevated surfaces were starting to ice over in northern Johnson County near the Patterson Springs area.

Winter Weather in POPE, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 01:45:00 to 08-DEC-18 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported 0.1 inch of snow in Hector.

Winter Weather in FAULKNER, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 23:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 01:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported a trace of snow in Conway.

Winter Storm in WHITE, ARKANSAS
From 07-DEC-18 16:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 04:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Law Enforcement reported 0.75 inches of freezing rain at Velvet Ridge.

Winter Weather in PRAIRIE, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 22:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 02:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported 0.3 inch of freezing rain in Biscoe.

Winter Storm in WOODRUFF, ARKANSAS
From 07-DEC-18 23:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 02:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported 0.5 inches of freezing rain 15 miles east of Augusta.

Winter Storm in JACKSON, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 00:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 02:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

The observer reported freezing rain accumulated 0.5 inches in Swifton. Also, 0.5 inch of snow was reported by the COOP observer at Newport.

Winter Storm in VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 00:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 12:20:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Freezing rain accumulated 0.25 inches in Clinton and was reported by the law enforcement. Also, 2.5 inches of snow was reported on social media.

Winter Storm in CLEBURNE, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 00:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 01:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Freezing rain accumulated 0.25 inches in Heber Springs and was reported by the law enforcement. Also, 1.0 inch of snow was reported on social media.

Winter Weather in DREW, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 21:34:00 to 08-DEC-18 23:27:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported 0.3 inches of snow had fallen.

Winter Weather in JEFFERSON, ARKANSAS
From 07-DEC-18 22:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The observer reported a trace of snow in Pine Bluff.

Winter Weather in SALINE, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 09:40:00 to 09-DEC-18 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The observer at Alum Fork reported a trace of snow.

Winter Weather in LONOKE, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 09:40:00 to 09-DEC-18 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported 0.1 inch of freezing rain in Coy.

Winter Weather in PERRY, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 21:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

The observer reported 0.1 inch of snow 5 miles south of Houston.

Winter Weather in LOGAN, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 02:00:00 to 08-DEC-18 10:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A trace of snow was measured by the observer in Subiaco.

Winter Storm in SEARCY, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 00:00:00 to 08-DEC-18 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The observer reported freezing rain accumulated 0.25 inch in Witts Spring. Also, 2.0 inches of snow was reported by the Leslie CocoRaHS observer.

Winter Storm in INDEPENDENCE, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 00:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 02:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The observer reported freezing rain accumulated 0.5 inches in Batesville. Also, 1.0 inch of snow was reported by the COOP observer at Batesville Lock and Dam.

Winter Storm in NEWTON, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 07:12:00 to 08-DEC-18 15:53:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Law enforcement reported freezing rain accumulated 0.25 inches in Jsper. Also, 2.0 inches of snow was reported by the law enforcement at Wayton.

Winter Storm in STONE, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 15:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 00:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The observer reported freezing rain accumulated 0.1 inch in Mtn. View. Also, 3.0 inches of snow was reported by the law enforcement in Mtn. View.

Winter Weather in IZARD, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 14:45:00 to 08-DEC-18 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The observer reported 2.0 inches of snow at Calico Rock.  Law enforcement also reported a trace of freezing rain at Melbourne.

Winter Weather in SHARP, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 00:00:00 to 08-DEC-18 23:45:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS observer reported 1.8 inches of snow at Hardy. A COOP observer reported 0.2 inches of sleet fell. Also, 0.1 inches of freezing rain was also reported at Hardy.

Winter Storm in LAWRENCE, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 00:00:00 to 08-DEC-18 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The observer reported freezing rain accumulated 0.5 inch in Alicia. Also, 0.3 inch of snow was reported by the COOP observer in Black Rock.

Winter Weather in MARION, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 07:00:00 to 08-DEC-18 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The observer reported 0.1 inch of snow in Yellville.

Winter Weather in BAXTER, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 14:45:00 to 08-DEC-18 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

The observer reported 1.0 inch of snow 2 miles east of Norfork.

Winter Weather in FULTON, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 15:00:00 to 08-DEC-18 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The observer reported a trace of snow at Salem.

Winter Weather in ARKANSAS, ARKANSAS
From 07-DEC-18 22:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Sheriff reported 0.1 inch of snow and 0.01 inch of freezing rain at Stuttgart.

Winter Weather in PULASKI, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 09:40:00 to 09-DEC-18 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The National Weather Service in North Little Rock reported 0.1 inch of freezing rain and a trace of snow at the North Little Rock airport.

Winter Weather in YELL, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 02:00:00 to 09-DEC-18 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A trace of snow was measured by the observer in Danville.

Winter Weather in BOONE, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 07:00:00 to 08-DEC-18 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The observer reported 0.5 inch of snow in Harrison.

Winter Weather in RANDOLPH, ARKANSAS
From 08-DEC-18 00:00:00 to 08-DEC-18 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

The observer reported 0.2 inch of snow 8 SSW of Pocohontas and 0.01 inch of freezing rain was reported by the Pocohontas COOP observer.