Texas winter wx thread (2009-2010)

[iorange55]

Brrr. Screencapped this.

[Snowman67]

Snowing SW of Odessa in Fort Stockton.

[wxman57]

Snowing SW of Odessa in Fort Stockton.

It helps to be at 3000 ft.

[Portastorm]

The plot thickens (at least a little bit! ):

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX
908 AM CST FRI JAN 8 2010

.UPDATE...
HAVE UPDATED THE FORECAST TO INCLUDE MENTION OF SNOW OR FLURRIES
NORTHWEST OF A ROCKSPRINGS TO LAKE AMISTAD LINE AS BAND OF SNOW
CONTINUES TO SAG SOUTH ACROSS THE PECOS VALLEY AREA. MAY SEE SOME
LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS (1/4 INCH OR LESS) NORTHWEST OF A LANGTRY TO
JUNO LINE. HAVE ALSO GONE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AREAWIDE FOR TODAY.
OTHERWISE, ONGOING SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS WEATHER FORECAST ON TRACK.

[Ntxw]

I wouldn't put too much in it Portastorm. Unless we were close to a mile up it won't squeeze much of it to really snow away from elevation. Plus the band of precip looks to be shrinking\drying out to me. We should focus on the upper level lows swinging through not too long from now

[Portastorm]

I wouldn't put too much in it Portastorm. Unless we were close to a mile up it won't squeeze much of it to really snow away from elevation. Plus the band of precip looks to be shrinking\drying out to me. We should focus on the upper level lows swinging through not too long from now

Oh, don't worry ... I have zero expectations for snow or anything here in Austin today. I am content with my virga storm!

I just posted the AFD update because I thought everyone would find it of interest. We have been talking for days about today and what the models were showing and, sure enough, it's playing out like we thought. Some light snow in west Texas and as the upper-level energy moved east and south, the drier dewpoints here would essentially evaporate what might fall.

Meanwhile, we have a good solid mid-level cloud deck here in Austin with a cold 25-degree temperature. After last night's game, somehow it feels even colder.

[wxman57]

The plot thickens (at least a little bit! ):

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX
908 AM CST FRI JAN 8 2010

.UPDATE...
HAVE UPDATED THE FORECAST TO INCLUDE MENTION OF SNOW OR FLURRIES
NORTHWEST OF A ROCKSPRINGS TO LAKE AMISTAD LINE AS BAND OF SNOW
CONTINUES TO SAG SOUTH ACROSS THE PECOS VALLEY AREA. MAY SEE SOME
LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS (1/4 INCH OR LESS) NORTHWEST OF A LANGTRY TO
JUNO LINE. HAVE ALSO GONE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AREAWIDE FOR TODAY.
OTHERWISE, ONGOING SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS WEATHER FORECAST ON TRACK.

As I mentioned in the KHOU forum, the area they're talking about for potential accumulations is over 200 miles west of Austin north of the Big Bend area south of Fort Stockton. Elevations there are 3000 ft or more.

[Outlaw JW]

There are folks following this thread here in West Texas that are interested in the possible snow flurries. Steps outside to look around.

[severe]

There are folks following this thread here in West Texas that are interested in the possible snow flurries. Steps outside to look around.

Good, I hope at least someone gets something worth a darn in this cold and miserable weather.

[Outlaw JW]

Through 11 am...light snow moving southeast out of West Texas will move across northern portions of Val Verde and Edwards counties. Due to very dry atmospheric conditions...only a light dusting of snow is possible.

[Ntxw]

I wouldn't put too much in it Portastorm. Unless we were close to a mile up it won't squeeze much of it to really snow away from elevation. Plus the band of precip looks to be shrinking\drying out to me. We should focus on the upper level lows swinging through not too long from now

Oh, don't worry ... I have zero expectations for snow or anything here in Austin today. I am content with my virga storm!

I just posted the AFD update because I thought everyone would find it of interest. We have been talking for days about today and what the models were showing and, sure enough, it's playing out like we thought. Some light snow in west Texas and as the upper-level energy moved east and south, the drier dewpoints here would essentially evaporate what might fall.

Meanwhile, we have a good solid mid-level cloud deck here in Austin with a cold 25-degree temperature. After last night's game, somehow it feels even colder.

It's alright Portastorm, UT reloads every year and always gives itself a chance for the big one. Anyhow, that's two impressive virga storms for you this winter! That's snow in one for or another and not rain =P! Must me some kind of record . 12z should be out soon interesting to see what it has. I'd say it's been consistent trying to form a good storm sometime after this brief thaw period.

[srainhoutx]

Through 11 am...light snow moving southeast out of West Texas will move across northern portions of Val Verde and Edwards counties. Due to very dry atmospheric conditions...only a light dusting of snow is possible.

My old BS Summer Camp near Camp Wood is getting a dusting.

[gboudx]

Portastorm needs a helicopter to fly up and enjoy the sneaux.

[Ntxw]

It's so cold still, 10 am and still not out of the teens yet brr~!

[Texas Snowman]

Got down to at least 12 this morning in Denison. Cold, cold, cold!

OT: Portastorm, I feel your pain. Thought the 'Horns did all they could do without Colt at the helm. Three minutes to go, down by three, and they had the ball with a chance to win. Proud of 'em, really proud of Colt for the way he handled himself and the things that he said after the game. Classy, classy kid - a real winner in my book. Hook 'em!

Now maybe we'll both get a snowstorm soon to ease our BCS title game pain!!

[srainhoutx]

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BROWNSVILLE TX
953 AM CST FRI JAN 8 2010

...HARD FREEZE EXPECTED ACROSS MOST OF DEEP SOUTH TEXAS TONIGHT
INTO EARLY SATURDAY...

.A STRONG ARCTIC COLD FRONT MOVED THROUGH DEEP SOUTH TEXAS
YESTERDAY. VERY COLD AIR WILL CONTINUE TO POUR INTO OUR REGION
THROUGHOUT TODAY. CLEARING SKIES AND EXTREMELY DRY AIR TONIGHT
WILL ALLOW TEMPERATURES TO FALL BELOW FREEZING ACROSS ALL OF DEEP
SOUTH TEXAS TONIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING...WITH TEMPERATURES
FALLING BELOW 28 DEGREES ACROSS MOST OF DEEP SOUTH TEXAS.

TXZ248>253-090000-
/O.NEW.KBRO.FZ.A.0004.100110T0300Z-100110T1500Z/
/O.CON.KBRO.HZ.W.0001.100109T0500Z-100109T1500Z/
ZAPATA-JIM HOGG-BROOKS-KENEDY-STARR-HIDALGO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ZAPATA...HEBBRONVILLE...FALFURRIAS...
SARITA...RIO GRANDE CITY...ROMA...MCALLEN...EDINBURG...PHARR...
MISSION...WESLACO
953 AM CST FRI JAN 8 2010

...HARD FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING
TO 9 AM CST SATURDAY...
...FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY
MORNING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BROWNSVILLE HAS ISSUED A FREEZE
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY
MORNING. A HARD FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS
EVENING TO 9 AM CST SATURDAY.

COLD ARCTIC AIR CONTINUES TO POUR INTO DEEP SOUTH TEXAS IN THE
WAKE OF A STRONG COLD FRONT THAT MOVED THROUGH DEEP SOUTH TEXAS
YESTERDAY.

AS THE SKIES BEGIN TO CLEAR TONIGHT...THE MERCURY WILL FALL AGAIN
BELOW FREEZING WITH TEMPERATURES FALLING BELOW 28 DEGREES FOR AT
LEAST 10 HOURS TONIGHT THROUGH THE MID-MORNING HOURS OF SATURDAY.
THEREFORE...A HARD FREEZE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR TONIGHT INTO
EARLY SATURDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

RESIDENTS SHOULD PREPARE FOR THE RETURN OF FREEZING TEMPERATURES
TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. BEGIN MAKING PLANS FOR ANY OF
THE ELDERLY WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE. EXTRA PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
WILL BE NEEDED FOR ANYONE EXPECTED TO BE OUTDOORS AT THESE TIMES.
ANIMALS AND TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE PLANTS WILL REQUIRE PROTECTION.
ANY EXPOSED PIPES SHOULD BE PROTECTED THROUGH THIS WEEKEND.

A HARD FREEZE WARNING MEANS A POTENTIALLY DEVASTATING FREEZE IS
LIKELY DURING THE NEXT 24 TO 48 HOURS. THIS MEANS AT LEAST
2 HOURS WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 28 DEGREES...AND GENERALLY AT
LEAST 8 HOURS WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 32. SUCH CONDITIONS WILL
KILL TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE VEGETATION AND COULD CAUSE WIDESPREAD
DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION TO CROPS.

A FREEZE WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO FALL
TO BETWEEN 28 AND 32 DEGREES FOR 2 OR MORE HOURS OVER A WIDESPREAD
AREA.

A FREEZE WATCH IS ISSUED FOR THE POTENTIAL OF 2 OR MORE HOURS OF
TEMPERATURES AT OR BELOW 32 DEGREES WITHIN 24 TO 48 HOURS.

[Portastorm]

Got down to at least 12 this morning in Denison. Cold, cold, cold!

OT: Portastorm, I feel your pain. Thought the 'Horns did all they could do without Colt at the helm. Three minutes to go, down by three, and they had the ball with a chance to win. Proud of 'em, really proud of Colt for the way he handled himself and the things that he said after the game. Classy, classy kid - a real winner in my book. Hook 'em!

Now maybe we'll both get a snowstorm soon to ease our BCS title game pain!!

I couldn't agree more with you, snowman! Great post ... well said.

[Ntxw]

Still there !

[txagwxman]

Still there !

Have to see it on the ECMWF before I get excited...540 thicknesses line still way north...not sure why the GFS has 850 mb 0C way south...seems too cold.

[Ntxw]

I agree we shouldn't get too excited. Just that the trends have been showing it for past few runs. And about the 850mb line, hmm cold core low possibly? We'll know getting closer IF it happens. Liking the trend though