The Frequency and Climate Factors Causing Snow in Texas

Texas is known as the United States’ 2nd largest state having an area of 266,807 sq. miles. Its southern border is shared with Mexico, its eastern border with Arkansas and Louisiana, its northern border with Oklahoma, while New Mexico shares its western border. This state is well known for its desert terrains, vast plains, grasslands, and rolling hills. Though Texas is a state in the south, it receives snowfall annually and in times past, it has experienced very severe snowstorms. Concerning the Climate of Texas, in the east, it is humid while in the west, it is arid, but the large size of the state covers some unique climatic regions which include South Texas, northern plains, Piney woods, Texas hill country, and Trans-Pecos region. Compared to other states in the United States, Texas experiences more tornadoes. Every year, the average of tornadoes they experience is about 139. Most of the tornadoes come from the eastern Pacific Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico.

Does It Snow in Texas

Yes, it snows in Texas. I’ve read several posts from people asking “when will it snow in Texas?” Of course, Texas experiences snow, with some parts experiencing theirs during the winter season. However, the intensity and amount of snow are small compared to the states in the Western, Northern and Northeastern parts of the country. The state has an average rainfall of 0.1 inches. Snow can only stay on the ground for a few days (less than one week), before the snow melts. The western part of Texas gets the highest snowfalls all through the state. Areas covered in this region, as well as the inches of snow, dropped include: El Paso (with 6.9 inches of snow), Lubbock with 8.2 inches of snow), and Amarillo (with 17.8 inches of snow). Average snow is received by North Central with the highest snowfalls got by East Texas, South Central Texas, and Gulf Coast getting just a little or no rainfall at all.

History

The northern and western parts of Texas get just average snowfall during the winter period as a result of low temperatures. For a whole week in February 1956, there was a severe snowstorm that affected Texas. Every day the least amount of snow was measured 61 inches. Unusual snowfall is seen in the central and southern regions. In 1885, the southeastern part of Texas got more than 2 inches with Port Arthur getting a 30 inches peak snowfall. In 2004 Christmas, snow of about 13 inches dropped on the middle coast, with the highest amount dropping in Victoria.

The state’s longest low temperatures recorded was back in December 1983, when continuous recordings of 32 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded in four stations. This temperature stayed below the freezing point in Austin for 139 hours, in Abilene for 202 hours, in Lubbock for 207 hours at the and in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport for 296 hours. Northern Texas experienced snow on the 14th and 15th of December in 1983 and lasted till January 1984.

Where Does It Snow in Texas

The winter period in Texas could range from the warm, sunny days to snowy and chilly weather. Today, the occurrence of snow in Texas is special. However, in some regions of the state, it can be seen once yearly. Areas in West Texas and the Panhandle seem to experience more snow compared to the remaining parts of the stare. Central Texas and South Texas experience ice and snow flurries, but it is very rare. Below are some areas where you could have the best chance of getting snow in Texas.

Dallas Area

Dallas, as well as the surrounding cities, usually have some inches of snow every year. Since cities seem to be warmer compared to country areas, it will be wise traveling outside of Dallas to get more snowfall if forecasts predict it. Other great options are areas like Grapevine, Arlington, Fort Worth, as well as other surrounding towns, since there’s a high chance that these cities will get some snow just like Dallas. Even if you visit during the winter and you get no snow, there are still lots of winter and holiday activities in Dallas.

Amarillo

Amarillo, which is situated in the Panhandle of Texas, gets snow of 17.8 inches every year. Since this city can be found in Texas’ northernmost part, it receives storms that come from the Rocky Mountains. Amarillo receives its highest snow in the months of December, January and February.

The Big Bend National Park

In most parts of the Big Bend National Park, snow is rare. However, since this park houses higher elevations, areas higher than 3500 feet get some sprinkles of snow a few times every year. Although the Big Bend National Park is a desert environment, during the winter period, it receives cold temperatures. For those that prefer seeing snow afar off rather than get close to it, a very good option is the Big Blend National Park since just some of the areas get snow.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

To get the occasional snowfall and chilly temperatures of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, just head there during December and January. Similar to the Big Bend National Park, frost and snow are usually deposited in areas that have higher elevations. Since the Guadalupe Mountains National Park houses Guadalupe peak (which stands at 8,751 feet), which is Texas’ highest point, there’s a high probability that all through the winter, you see the spot covered up with snow. Visitors can even hike up the Guadalupe Peak if the weather is favorable enough.

El Paso

El Paso, which is located in West Texas’ Davis Mountains, is a great place to be during the winter period to see the snow covering the Lone Star State. It is actually the westernmost city in Texas and every year, it gets about 7 inches of snow. Two important places to visit to explore and see El Paso’s great natural features are the Franklin Mountains and the Hueco Tanks State Park.

Lubbock

Lubbock is a Panhandle city which is known for having snow during the months of winter. Every year, Texas City receives an average of 7 inches of snow. In 2015, it could be recalled that the snowfall had eleven inches which fell for two days.

How Often Will It Snow in Texas

The intensity and frequency of the snow in Texas might change as the planet continues to warm. Already, Texas has experienced snow and it even froze in Tennessee, the reason behind hundreds of cities and towns, are getting themselves ready for the cold icy weather. The average snowfall of Texas’ western and northern sections every year can be attributed to their colder readings every winter. As mentioned earlier, for seven days in 1956, the northern part of Texas experienced snowfall in very large amounts, the largest to date. At Vega, 61 inches was the maximum amount measured, while in Plainview, it received 24 inches in a single day. El Paso, which is located in the far west of Texas, received about 22.4 inches of snow in a period of 24 hours (December 13th to 14th 1987). For southern and central sections, snowfall is more unusual. A large area in the southeastern part of Texas got more than 12 inches of snow which peaked at Port Arthur near 30 inches.

Significant North Texas Snow Events

On the evening of February 3rd, 2011, snow started. Overnight, it spread north, affecting almost all the Northern parts of Texas. On the evening of February 4th, the snow then decided to come into the Northeastern part of Texas. On the 1st of February, Heavy rain came with a strong arctic front. This precipitation ended up transitioning to heavy sleet thunderstorms during the morning hours of 1st February. Before ending, the precipitation changed into snow. On the 9th and 10th of January 2011: North Texas was affected by heavy rain, which then transitioned to heavy snow in the Northeastern part of Texas. Into the early hours of January 10th, some light snow continued. On 23rd February 2010, there was a significant snow event across Central Texas. Snow started in the early morning hours in the Hill Country. Heavy snow was spread across the central parts of Texas before moving to the Eastern part in the afternoon before ending. In the 11th and 12th of February, 2010 saw record-breaking snowfall across the North Central part of Texas. This event, which is very unusual, delivered about a foot or more of snowfalls generally for the majority of areas surrounding the DFW Metroplex. As a result of this heavy snow, there were power outages in many areas, with tree limbs being weighed down and transmission lines getting broken. It took weeks to clean up the damage. On December 24th, 2009, snow started falling during the late hours of the morning, and then during the afternoon, it increased in intensity. The heaviest snowfall was in the northwestern parts of the Metroplex where Bowie and Graham recorded snow of about 6 to 9 inches.