Texas Winter 2020-2021

[Ntxw]

I saw the predictions only today. Was at Crested Butte skiing pow pow all week last week, took some time off from looking at the weather. Wow. What a pleasant surprise. Catching up on everything now.

Heat miser has left the country. No hijinks bet this year for you guys.

[Texas Snow]

The cold front looks to be just 10 miles west of DFW. Already freezing in the Falls. 40’s in Abilene. Hope everyone’s preparing for this cold.

https://i.imgur.com/IFn7t2r.jpg

It’s definitely through North Dallas. Have been outside preparing the palm trees and other things for the cold when it blew through.

This is a lot better planning on my part. Last time I had to prep the palm trees it was already in the 20’s and windy. That was terrible. Thanks to this board and the Euro finally coming into agreement, I decided to get it mostly done while it was warm. Much better!

We have a potted Sago palm that we got about 4 months ago. It's done well with freezing temps, frost and the little bit of snow we got, but this has me concerned. Never had a Sago before. I'm thinking of putting it in the garage, but I don't know if that's a good idea. Any advice?

If you can get it in the garage do that. I read they can briefly get to 15, but even if we don’t, the extended cold may kill it. The other alternative that could work is putting a tarp over it with a lamp or heat lamp under it. Put a thermometer and see what the real temp is once or twice if you can. We are doing that for some in-ground ferns near a waterfall. Of course if it doesn’t work for my ferns replacing those is easier than your sago.

FYI on others, Windmill Palms are good to 5 and I know from experience Mexican Fan palms defoliate at 21. That is what we prepped today so it’s easy to complete once it gets closer. I’m leaving the Windmill alone for now. I hope I don’t have to deal with it when it’s 10 degrees and dropping

[Ntxw]

FWIW the Euro weeklies have abandoned the +AO idea for later in the month. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out 2020-2021 winter is the winter of the severe AO blocking. What happens in December tends to play out again (magnified) in February with these 30-40 day cycles.

IF we can verify these forecasts, may be the first month since December 2000 of a sub 40F average @DFW.

[MGC]

NWS Slidell is not sold on the 18Z GFS, from Monday afternoon AFD:

"Still not very confident in the forecast as it pertains to
temperatures this weekend. The GFS guidance is showing outrageously
freezing temps for the Friday to Sunday timeframe, but given the
trend of conditions this looks very unlikely. The Euro showed min
temps at or just below freezing for areas mainly north of the lake
so trended the temps closer to that."

I can't believe the 18Z GFS either. The GFS keeps the Mississippi Coast below freezing for nearly 96 hours, I can't recall such a long period of below freezing.....I could ice skate on the Gulf if this happens.....MGC

[Cpv17]

What’s the 18z Euro saying?

[gboudx]

It’s definitely through North Dallas. Have been outside preparing the palm trees and other things for the cold when it blew through.

This is a lot better planning on my part. Last time I had to prep the palm trees it was already in the 20’s and windy. That was terrible. Thanks to this board and the Euro finally coming into agreement, I decided to get it mostly done while it was warm. Much better!

We have a potted Sago palm that we got about 4 months ago. It's done well with freezing temps, frost and the little bit of snow we got, but this has me concerned. Never had a Sago before. I'm thinking of putting it in the garage, but I don't know if that's a good idea. Any advice?

If you can get it in the garage do that. I read they can briefly get to 15, but even if we don’t, the extended cold may kill it. The other alternative that could work is putting a tarp over it with a lamp or heat lamp under it. Put a thermometer and see what the real temp is once or twice if you can. We are doing that for some in-ground ferns near a waterfall. Of course if it doesn’t work for my ferns replacing those is easier than your sago.

FYI on others, Windmill Palms are good to 5 and I know from experience Mexican Fan palms defoliate at 21. That is what we prepped today so it’s easy to complete once it gets closer. I’m leaving the Windmill alone for now. I hope I don’t have to deal with it when it’s 10 degrees and dropping

Thanks. We have some ferns, Italian cypress and agaves. Most of it is new from a recent backyard project. We’re talking like 20 plants. We can cover them but with such an extended freeze I don’t know how much good it’ll do. But we’ll try. Thanks for the advice.

[rwfromkansas]

I am considering whether to buy a portable generator. But, so far models don't show a major ice storm. Yet.

How easy are they to hook up to a house, don't you need special equipment to install, etc?

I ignorantly thought you could just plug stuff into it, but there is a special transfer switch you need. Researching that.

[Texas Snow]

I am considering whether to buy a portable generator. But, so far models don't show a major ice storm. Yet.

How easy are they to hook up to a house, don't you need special equipment to install, etc?

I ignorantly thought you could just plug stuff into it, but there is a special transfer switch you need. Researching that.

We have an inverter generator. You can just plug into that, even computers as it’s clean power since you are taking power off the internal battery and the generator keeps the battery going. Plus it’s quieter. More expensive however but Harbor Freight has an excellent knockoff of the Honda.

[Ntxw]

We have a potted Sago palm that we got about 4 months ago. It's done well with freezing temps, frost and the little bit of snow we got, but this has me concerned. Never had a Sago before. I'm thinking of putting it in the garage, but I don't know if that's a good idea. Any advice?

If you can get it in the garage do that. I read they can briefly get to 15, but even if we don’t, the extended cold may kill it. The other alternative that could work is putting a tarp over it with a lamp or heat lamp under it. Put a thermometer and see what the real temp is once or twice if you can. We are doing that for some in-ground ferns near a waterfall. Of course if it doesn’t work for my ferns replacing those is easier than your sago.

FYI on others, Windmill Palms are good to 5 and I know from experience Mexican Fan palms defoliate at 21. That is what we prepped today so it’s easy to complete once it gets closer. I’m leaving the Windmill alone for now. I hope I don’t have to deal with it when it’s 10 degrees and dropping

Thanks. We have some ferns, Italian cypress and agaves. Most of it is new from a recent backyard project. We’re talking like 20 plants. We can cover them but with such an extended freeze I don’t know how much good it’ll do. But we’ll try. Thanks for the advice.

It's going to be a challenge for sure. We have not seen such an extended unbroken freeze since 1996 so for some planters memory proves short. Even in 2011 and 2017/2018 it was a day or two before it moderated some above freezing.

[JDawg512]

I have a tall California fan in the front and a large Texas Sabal Palm in the back. Depending on how things go for Austin, I'll be more concerned about the California palm than the Texas Sabal which is one of only two true native Texas palms, the other being the Palmetto. It should be able to handle some of the sub Freezing temps for a time at least.

I've also not been paying too close attention to the forecast until today due to my time being taken up by other issues. Considering the potential seriousness of what could happen, I'll be monitoring both the forum and NWS consistently throughout the week.

[weatherdude1108]

I have a tall California fan in the front and a large Texas Sabal Palm in the back. Depending on how things go for Austin, I'll be more concerned about the California palm than the Texas Sabal which is one of only two true native Texas palms, the other being the Palmetto. It should be able to handle some of the sub Freezing temps for a time at least.

I've also not been paying too close attention to the forecast until today due to my time being taken up by other issues. Considering the potential seriousness of what could happen, I'll be monitoring both the forum and NWS consistently throughout the week.

If you can get it in the garage do that. I read they can briefly get to 15, but even if we don’t, the extended cold may kill it. The other alternative that could work is putting a tarp over it with a lamp or heat lamp under it. Put a thermometer and see what the real temp is once or twice if you can. We are doing that for some in-ground ferns near a waterfall. Of course if it doesn’t work for my ferns replacing those is easier than your sago.

FYI on others, Windmill Palms are good to 5 and I know from experience Mexican Fan palms defoliate at 21. That is what we prepped today so it’s easy to complete once it gets closer. I’m leaving the Windmill alone for now. I hope I don’t have to deal with it when it’s 10 degrees and dropping

Thanks. We have some ferns, Italian cypress and agaves. Most of it is new from a recent backyard project. We’re talking like 20 plants. We can cover them but with such an extended freeze I don’t know how much good it’ll do. But we’ll try. Thanks for the advice.

It's going to be a challenge for sure. We have not seen such an extended unbroken freeze since 1996 so for some planters memory proves short. Even in 2011 and 2017/2018 it was a day or two before it moderated some above freezing.

I have a couple of large Sago palms in the ground. They were already here when we moved here in 2006. It got down to 16 here back in like 2011(?) and all the fronds died. I was worried they didn't make it. Then they put on new growth in May. I didn't cover them.

But I have freeze cloth I put over them a few years ago when it was in the teens, but they wouldn't fit and wind kept blowing them off. Wasn't able to cover completely.

Wonder if I should try wrapping trunks and covering base with it(?).

[WeatherNewbie]

I am considering whether to buy a portable generator. But, so far models don't show a major ice storm. Yet.

How easy are they to hook up to a house, don't you need special equipment to install, etc?

I ignorantly thought you could just plug stuff into it, but there is a special transfer switch you need. Researching that.

if you want a whole house switchover, that is expensive and requires the services of an electrician. if your furnace is electric and not natural gas, that is the only way to keep the house heated (not counting a good old fashioned fire place). if you just want something to run appliances and electronics off of with extension cords, that is much simpler and you can get one of those foe $500-$1k.

[EnnisTx]

I have a tall California fan in the front and a large Texas Sabal Palm in the back. Depending on how things go for Austin, I'll be more concerned about the California palm than the Texas Sabal which is one of only two true native Texas palms, the other being the Palmetto. It should be able to handle some of the sub Freezing temps for a time at least.

I've also not been paying too close attention to the forecast until today due to my time being taken up by other issues. Considering the potential seriousness of what could happen, I'll be monitoring both the forum and NWS consistently throughout the week.

Thanks. We have some ferns, Italian cypress and agaves. Most of it is new from a recent backyard project. We’re talking like 20 plants. We can cover them but with such an extended freeze I don’t know how much good it’ll do. But we’ll try. Thanks for the advice.

It's going to be a challenge for sure. We have not seen such an extended unbroken freeze since 1996 so for some planters memory proves short. Even in 2011 and 2017/2018 it was a day or two before it moderated some above freezing.

I have a couple of large Sago palms in the ground. They were already here when we moved here in 2006. It got down to 16 here back in like 2011(?) and all the fronds died. I was worried they didn't make it. Then they put on new growth in May. I didn't cover them.

But I have freeze cloth I put over them a few years ago when it was in the teens, but they wouldn't fit and wind kept blowing them off. Wasn't able to cover completely.

Wonder if I should try wrapping trunks and covering base with it(?).

Wrap and cover with some old blankets.

[bubba hotep]

What’s the 18z Euro saying?

Pretty juiced up but keeps the freezing line NW of DFW the entire run. Gets basically all of Texas up in the 60/70s on Wednesday with some 80s in deep S. Texas.

[Brent]

What’s the 18z Euro saying?

Pretty juiced up but keeps the freezing line NW of DFW the entire run. Gets basically all of Texas up in the 60/70s on Wednesday with some 80s in deep S. Texas.

Lol

[wxman57]

Just arrived in Sydney. Have a crew up at the US/Canada border trying to reinforce my wall, but I think it's too late. Oh well, I'll be laying on the beach Down Under while you folks enjoy your cold.

Your plane is faster than military jets. Pricey ticket.

Price? I said I borrowed it. They won't even notice it's gone. Don't worry, I'm qualified to fly it.

[bubba hotep]

What’s the 18z Euro saying?

Pretty juiced up but keeps the freezing line NW of DFW the entire run. Gets basically all of Texas up in the 60/70s on Wednesday with some 80s in deep S. Texas.

Lol

Most of the models show Texas warming up some on Wednesday, the Euro is about 20F warmer across the Central & N. Texas however - with 60s for DFW vs 40s. The front does finally push south through all of Texas by the end of the run (90hr) but freezing temps are still NW of DFW.

[Texas Snow]

Most of the models show Texas warming up some on Wednesday, the Euro is about 20F warmer across the Central & N. Texas however - with 60s for DFW vs 40s. The front does finally push south through all of Texas by the end of the run (90hr) but freezing temps are still NW of DFW.

[bubba hotep]

OKC is currently colder than all 21z SREF members, so the cold is overperforming just up the road.

[wxman57]

I am considering whether to buy a portable generator. But, so far models don't show a major ice storm. Yet.

How easy are they to hook up to a house, don't you need special equipment to install, etc?

If you don't want to leave doors/windows open then you would need to have an electrician install a transfer switch. I had one installed. It's a small box that connects to your electrical panel. The switch is connected to all circuits in the house except your AC/Heater, which would need too much power for a portable generator. The installation may cost $500/$600. After two weeks of extension cords all over the house and not being able to lock the house if we left for a while, we had one installed. Now, if the power goes out, we roll the generator to the backyard panel, plug it into the transfer switch with a special connector, turn the main power "Off". You can't switch to the generator power if the house main is "On" for safety reasons. After that, crank up the generator and turn on any light or fan in the house. Brew coffee, run your oven and/or microwave, do laundry, run that portable AC in your window (bought one for $100, even has a remote). Just don't do all that at once.

Given that extended power outages are quite rare (none since Ike in 2008 here), a whole-house generator here in Houston doesn't make a lot of sense ($10,000+). Sure, it's a hassle to go get gas every few days. A good 6000-9000 watt generator may run for 10-12 hrs on a tank, which is about 7 gallons, I think. During Ike, I ran it constantly for 1 week. I did change the oil every day, which was quite easy to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgtFCJlVFQ