The city of Houston, Texas, experienced a rare and disruptive snowfall on Tuesday, prompting warnings and advisories from the National Weather Service (NWS). The unusual weather event highlighted the city’s vulnerability to freezing temperatures and snow accumulation, given its infrastructure is primarily designed for a warm, subtropical climate. The NWS forecasted substantial snowfall, ranging from 4 to 6 inches, across the Houston metro area. This accumulation marked a significant departure from the historical average temperature for this time of year, which typically hovers around 53.7°F. The dramatic temperature drop of 27.2°F, representing a 50.65% decrease, underscores the severity of the cold snap. The city’s recent experience with the devastating winter storm of 2021, which left millions of Texans without power, serves as a stark reminder of the potential for widespread disruption caused by extreme winter weather.
The snowfall’s impact extended beyond mere inconvenience. The city’s roads, unaccustomed to such conditions, posed a significant risk for traffic accidents. Furthermore, the power grid, not designed for sustained periods of freezing temperatures, faced increased strain, elevating the possibility of widespread power outages. The NWS issued a suite of warnings and advisories, including a Winter Storm Warning for snow and sleet, a Cold Weather Advisory for dangerously low wind chills, and an Extreme Cold Watch for areas anticipating even heavier snow totals. These warnings underscored the potential severity of the weather event and prompted authorities to urge residents to take precautions, such as avoiding unnecessary travel and protecting pipes from freezing.
While snowfall in Houston is an anomaly, it is not entirely unprecedented. Historical records indicate that measurable snowfall has occurred on several occasions since official record-keeping began in 1920. The most extreme snowfall event in Houston’s history dates back to February 14, 1895, when a staggering 20 inches of snow blanketed the city. More recent significant snowfalls include 3 inches on January 22, 1940, and another 3 inches on February 12, 1960. A more recent snowfall of 1.4 inches occurred on December 10, 2008. The most recent snowfall prior to this week’s event took place on February 15, 2021, coinciding with the aforementioned devastating winter storm. These historical events, though infrequent, demonstrate that while unusual, snowfall is a possibility within Houston’s climate spectrum.
Meteorologists, recognizing the unusual nature of this weather system, offered their insights. AccuWeather Meteorologist Bill Deger highlighted the broader regional impact, noting significant snowfall across central Texas, particularly west of Interstate 35, encompassing areas around San Antonio and Austin. He emphasized, however, that the most substantial accumulation was expected in southeastern and east-central Texas. This region includes the Interstate 10 corridor, stretching from Houston eastward to the Louisiana border, where AccuWeather predicted 3 to 6 inches of snow. Several counties, including Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, and Tyler, were specifically identified as areas likely to experience the heaviest snowfall.
The NWS Houston office, utilizing the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), provided real-time updates and emphasized the rapidly deteriorating conditions. They warned of sleet and snow showers developing across the area, accompanied by a swift drop in temperatures to below freezing, with some areas north of the Houston metro experiencing temperatures as low as 25°F. The NWS stressed the hazardous road conditions resulting from these falling temperatures and urged residents to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. This real-time communication underscored the importance of staying informed and heeding official warnings during such unusual weather events.
Looking ahead, the frigid temperatures were expected to persist in Houston, with overnight lows forecast to dip down to around 19°F. A gradual warming trend was anticipated over the subsequent days, with highs near 40°F on Wednesday and approaching 48°F by Thursday. Despite this projected warming, authorities continued to emphasize the importance of ongoing precautions. Residents were urged to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and take measures to protect their pipes from freezing. The unusual snowfall and accompanying cold snap served as a reminder of the potential for extreme weather events, even in regions typically known for their warm climates, and underscored the importance of preparedness and heedful attention to official warnings.
