Draft:Snow in Texas
Snow events in Texas
[edit]Snow events in Texas are occurrences of snowfall across the U.S. state of Texas. Snowfall varies considerably across the state because of differences in latitude, elevation, and climate. Snow is generally more frequent in the Texas Panhandle and other parts of northern and western Texas, while measurable snowfall is less common along the Gulf Coast and in southern Texas.
Despite these differences, significant snowstorms have affected nearly every part of the state. Historical events have ranged from localized storms to major outbreaks affecting large portions of Texas.
Climatology
[edit]Texas has a wide range of snowfall climates. The Texas Panhandle and parts of West Texas generally receive more snow than central, eastern, and southern portions of the state. Elevation is one factor contributing to the differences between regions.
Snowfall becomes increasingly uncommon toward the Gulf Coast. However, major snowfalls have occurred in coastal communities, including exceptionally heavy events during the February 1895 storm.
Notable snow events
[edit]February 1895
[edit]The February 13–15, 1895, snowstorm was an unusually significant snowfall event along the Texas Gulf Coast and in other parts of Texas. Beaumont–Port Arthur received 30 inches, according to the National Weather Service's historical snowfall database for southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.
The event is notable because of the exceptionally large snowfall recorded in an area where snow is normally uncommon.
January 1926
[edit]A major winter storm affected portions of Texas in January 1926. Heavy snowfall occurred in parts of central and northern Texas.
December 1929
[edit]The December 20–21, 1929, snowstorm produced exceptionally heavy snowfall in parts of Central Texas. Hillsboro recorded 26 inches in 24 hours, making it one of the most notable snowfall measurements in Texas history.
February 1960
[edit]A major snowstorm affected southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana on February 12–13, 1960. Beaumont–Port Arthur received 9.1 inches, making it the largest snowfall event in that location's historical record.
January 1973
[edit]A significant snow event affected southeastern Texas from January 10–12, 1973. Beaumont–Port Arthur recorded 4.0 inches.
February 2021
[edit]A major winter storm affected Texas during February 13–17, 2021. Snow fell across much of the state, including areas that normally receive little or no snow in a typical winter.
The event produced significant snowfall in North Texas, Central Texas, West Texas, and parts of East and Southeast Texas.
Regional snowfall
[edit]Texas Panhandle
[edit]The Panhandle generally has some of the highest snowfall frequencies in Texas. Amarillo has recorded numerous major snowstorms throughout its period of climate observations.
Amarillo's record snowfall for a single 24-hour period and for a single storm is 20.6 inches, recorded on March 25–26, 1934. Its largest snowfall in a calendar month is 28.7 inches, recorded in February 1903. The city's largest seasonal snowfall is 50.9 inches, recorded during the 1918–19 season.
West Texas
[edit]West Texas also experiences considerably more snowfall than the Gulf Coast and southern portions of the state. Lubbock has a long record of significant winter storms.
Lubbock's record snowfall in 24 hours is 16.3 inches, recorded January 20–21, 1983. The same storm produced a single-storm total of 16.9 inches and a maximum snow depth of 17 inches. Lubbock's record snowfall for a single month is 25.3 inches, recorded in January 1983, while its record snowfall for a season is 41.2 inches during 1982–83.
North Texas
[edit]North Texas receives snow less frequently than the Panhandle and West Texas but has experienced numerous significant snowstorms. Dallas–Fort Worth and surrounding communities have recorded major snowfalls during several historical winter storms.
Central Texas
[edit]Central Texas has experienced several major snow events despite its relatively mild winters. The December 1929 storm produced particularly heavy snowfall in this region.
East Texas
[edit]Snowfall is less frequent in East Texas than in northern and western parts of the state. However, significant winter storms have occasionally produced measurable snowfall across the region.
Gulf Coast
[edit]Snow is uncommon along the Texas Gulf Coast, but historical records show that exceptionally heavy events have occurred. The February 1895 storm produced 30 inches at Beaumont–Port Arthur, while the February 1960 storm produced 9.1 inches there.
South Texas
[edit]South Texas has some of the lowest snowfall frequencies in the state. Measurable snow is unusual, although major Arctic outbreaks can occasionally produce wintry precipitation in the region.
City snowfall records
[edit]Amarillo
[edit]Amarillo's official records include:
- 20.6 inches — maximum snowfall in 24 hours, March 25–26, 1934
- 20.6 inches — maximum snowfall from a single storm, March 25–26, 1934
- 28.7 inches — maximum snowfall in one month, February 1903
- 17.0 inches — maximum measured snow depth, February 26, 1903
- 50.9 inches — maximum snowfall in one season, 1918–19
Lubbock
[edit]Lubbock's official records include:
- 16.3 inches — maximum snowfall in 24 hours, January 20–21, 1983
- 16.9 inches — maximum snowfall from a single storm, January 20–21, 1983
- 17.0 inches — maximum snow depth, January 21, 1983
- 25.3 inches — maximum snowfall in one month, January 1983
- 41.2 inches — maximum snowfall in one season, 1982–83
Beaumont–Port Arthur
[edit]Beaumont–Port Arthur has experienced several exceptionally large snowfalls despite its location near the Gulf Coast. Its largest recorded event was the February 13–15, 1895, storm, which produced 30 inches. Other major events include 9.1 inches in February 1960, 8.2 inches in January 1940, and 8.0 inches in December 1901.
Dallas–Fort Worth
[edit]Dallas–Fort Worth has experienced several significant snowstorms throughout its historical record. The region has recorded double-digit monthly snowfall totals during some winters, including February 1929 and February 1978.
Waco
[edit]Waco has also experienced several major snowfalls. Historical winter storms have produced substantial snowfall in Central Texas, including during the 1920s and 1960s.
Houston
[edit]Houston receives snowfall much less frequently than northern and western Texas. Nevertheless, several exceptional snow events have occurred, including the February 1895 storm and significant events during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
The history of snowfall in Houston is covered in greater detail in the article [[Houston snowfall]].
Snowfall records
[edit]Snowfall records in Texas vary considerably between observing stations. The highest totals are generally associated with the Panhandle, West Texas, and exceptional winter storms affecting central and coastal areas.
Long-term comparisons should account for differences in the length and continuity of weather observations between locations.
See also
[edit]- [[Houston snowfall]]
- [[Climate of Texas]]
- [[Snow in Florida]]
- [[2021 Texas power crisis]]
- [[List of weather records]]