February brings two kinds of winter blasts 10 years apart

Photo from The Weekly Vista Feb. 16, 2011 The front page of the Feb. 16, 2011 Weekly Vista gives insight to the slamming of three snow storms' cost on the city and POA as reported by then mayor, Frank Anderson. And Douglas Grant of The Weekly Vista caught a shot of what the Bella Vista world looked like outside of the office in Town Center at the height of the Feb. 9, 2011 storm.
Photo from The Weekly Vista Feb. 16, 2011 The front page of the Feb. 16, 2011 Weekly Vista gives insight to the slamming of three snow storms' cost on the city and POA as reported by then mayor, Frank Anderson. And Douglas Grant of The Weekly Vista caught a shot of what the Bella Vista world looked like outside of the office in Town Center at the height of the Feb. 9, 2011 storm.

February seems to be not only for sending bursts of special valentines but also for receiving bursts of the worst weather any warm-loving valentine could want.

February's weather has been brutal this year, accumulating high temperatures below 32 degrees for more than a week now and icy precipitation pieces falling from the skies whenever it seems fit. The last day it was above 32 degrees in Bella Vista was on Monday, Feb. 8, when it was 36; the next day forecast to be above 32 degrees is Friday, Feb. 19, at 38. And how about those minus zero temperatures experienced this past Sunday and Monday!

Cancellations have been a norm during this week of February polar vortex, canceling in-person school days, postponing vaccine inoculations, shutting down businesses, and keeping drivers off roads due to icy conditions on Feb. 9 and 10.

Yet February 2011, 10 years ago, was just a little more exciting. Snow, snow and more snow fell Feb. 1-4, with Feb. 9 that year accumulating over 24 inches. That's right -- over 24 inches, crippling the city for a week or longer.

When we remember there are over 500 miles of street surface in Bella Vista, it was not a year to be on the street crew department!

Photo of The Weekly Vista Feb. 9, 2011 The front page of The Weekly Vista, Feb. 9, 2011 looked like this with a photo taken by Douglas Grant of snow covering U.S. 71 on Feb. 2 of that year. No road lines or edge of road are seen in the photo or by the driver of this truck. According to the accompanying article about 10 inches of snow fell Feb. 1 and another two to three inches on top of that Feb. 4.
Photo of The Weekly Vista Feb. 9, 2011 The front page of The Weekly Vista, Feb. 9, 2011 looked like this with a photo taken by Douglas Grant of snow covering U.S. 71 on Feb. 2 of that year. No road lines or edge of road are seen in the photo or by the driver of this truck. According to the accompanying article about 10 inches of snow fell Feb. 1 and another two to three inches on top of that Feb. 4.
The Weekly Vista Feb. 16, 2011
Ten years ago during the month of Valentine's Day, there was snow. A lot of snow. Over 26 inches of snow during the first nine days of the month. Above, the Weekly Vista newsprint of Feb. 16, 2011 shows some of the fun Bella Vistan's had. The lucky residents with snowblowers got a workout that month as Jim Lucas experienced. And there were snowmen/women!
The Weekly Vista Feb. 16, 2011 Ten years ago during the month of Valentine's Day, there was snow. A lot of snow. Over 26 inches of snow during the first nine days of the month. Above, the Weekly Vista newsprint of Feb. 16, 2011 shows some of the fun Bella Vistan's had. The lucky residents with snowblowers got a workout that month as Jim Lucas experienced. And there were snowmen/women!