Texas Winter 2020-2021

[rwfromkansas]

You need good conditions in the dendritic growth zone for snow as well, and with colder temps, that's more likely. Can help add things up in a hurry. There's a lot I don't understand about this, but I know from growing up in KS they talked about the DGZ all the time in forecast discussions. When it was ideal, snow dumped.

Forgive my ignorance.

What causes ratio to be higher or lower, ie 10-1 vs 15-1 vs 20-1

I always think of it this way. If it is warmer, with temps closer to freezing or even hovering just above at the surface, the snow is usually big wet flakes. They are heavy and they just weigh down each other as they pile up so they tend to kind of condense and pack in on themselves. When it snows with temps well into the 20s and colder, the snow is extremely frozen and much lighter. So the flakes tend to sit on top of each other more and really can pile up higher. Does that make any sense at all?

[Ralph's Weather]

East Texas gets CRUSHED on the CMC. DFW still sees 12-18", but one issue that occurs is that it's a bit dry where snow is created, but the whole column below that isn't so it's not likely to be virga. Snow ratios are comfortable 12-15 to 1.

It really gets things going Wed after it crosses I-35.

[UTSARoadrunner4]

Bexar County (San Antonio) added to winter weather advisory

Like I said earlier, not surprised.

[gboudx]

Stupid Question:

So, every time the temperature gets in the low 20's for about 2 days our pipes ALWAYS freeze (along with the neighborhood). We have pex tubing in the attic. I'm a little concerned with temperatures dropping in the single digits or WORSE.

So the question is, if I simply leave the water running (not full blast, but much more than a drip), will that keep the pipes from freezing?

First, not a stupid question. Is the whole house affected or just specific faucets? In our case, the water supply to our island kitchen sink has frozen. I was stumped until I went into a house being built that is the same as ours and realized the pex is run in the attic, then down an exterior wall to the slab where it connects to plumbing to the sink. I figure it was freezing in the exterior wall so now when the temps get low like this, we leave the cabinets open.

[cstrunk]

I am am concerned about temps this afternoon here along I-20 in E TX. The Central Texas precip shield will graze us after lunch.

Yeah, from about Tyler westward, it could get nasty. Temps are slooowly moderating here. NWS has Longview at 34F (MyRadar is showing 36F, however), but Gilmer and Tyler both at 30F. Tyler hasn't updated for the 11 AM hour yet, though.

[JDawg512]

I have no idea what they are thinking at work but they are currently open. I haven't gone in but I said I would even though I don't really want to. Ice is really building up on branches and power lines and my car is covered in a solid sheet.

[Ralph's Weather]

I am am concerned about temps this afternoon here along I-20 in E TX. The Central Texas precip shield will graze us after lunch.

Yeah, from about Tyler westward, it could get nasty. Temps are slooowly moderating here. NWS has Longview at 34F (MyRadar is showing 36F, however), but Gilmer and Tyler both at 30F. Tyler hasn't updated for the 11 AM hour yet, though.

Personal weather stations in NW Smith County are around 28 with eastern Van Zandt around 26. If rain gets up here it could be bad. Overpasses around here are bad already but so far surface roads are OK.

[Iceresistance]

12z CMC



24-Hour Kuchera Ratio Snowfall

[G'TownGirl]

I have no idea what they are thinking at work but they are currently open. I haven't gone in but I said I would even though I don't really want to. Ice is really building up on branches and power lines and my car is covered in a solid sheet.

I work in Westlake (drive in from WillCo), and there are a few in my office.... don't know WHAT they are thinking.

[cstrunk]

The best snowstorms are always a week away.

[bubba hotep]

Blend the 12z Canadian & GFS-p and call it lol

GFS-P is on crack putting down 30" of snow in the Falls.

It looks like it reduces snow totals as you head SE from the Falls because it has the qpf as freezing rain.

[Wntrwthrguy]

If models couldn’t even get the ice storm happening in central Texas correct, who knows what’s going to happen 2-5 days from now.

[Iceresistance]

A true definition for a Possible PDS Winter Storm/Blizzard Watch for the 12z GFS-Para.



24-Hour Kuchera Ratio Snowfall

[TropicalTundra]

Light snow and sleet mix outside my workplace right now. Snow sticking to grass immediately. 28F. Belton ISD changed the school day to early release.

[Iceresistance]

Light snow outside, heavier in bands every once in a while. 18°F

[BigD938]

Is the precip down south going to make it up to Dallas bad east? Seeing if I need to think about heading home early today

[Iceresistance]

What are the 12z GEFS Ensembles Snowfall & Mean Snowfall looking like? COD Meteorology is a complete no-go!

[Shoshana]

Thanks for asking this. Our neighborhood FB page says our insulation in the attic is good. But, I seriously doubt it can handle single-digit temps. But, I don't think we can bring portable electric heaters up there, that would be dangerous. May have to get pipe insulation. They say Pex handles cold better at least.

Yup, I mentioned to my wife about putting a couple of heaters in the attic, but she said probably not a good idea.... so idk...

Another option is pulling down the ladder and leaving it down during the entirety of the cold snap so that some of the heat goes up into your attic. I would do that in combination with running the water at a little more than just a drip. I'd rather pay a higher electricity and water bill than have busted pipes in an attic. We have the same thing but I don't think our temps should get that low, even though the latest GFS has us hitting 9 degrees. I'm hoping that's out to lunch for us in SELA.

That’s an interesting idea about the ladder. We had the pipes freeze a few years back in the kitchen (our sink is on the north wall) but they unfroze when we turned the stove on (east wall). I ordered a little ceramic heater from Amazon and it is supposed to get here Sunday. Will open bottom cabinets and run the heater in the kitchen when it goes below 25 or so for extended time. Getting it for the extended below freezing forecasted here.

Current weather, wet surface roads, ice on elevated surfaces, rain/sleet/frozen rain/snow mix officially 34, gauge doesn’t work below freezing and it’s currently not working..l

[JDawg512]

The temp here at the Rain Cave has gotten to 33 and I am seeing the ice on my car begin to melt. Because I've been running around here covering pipes and stuff, I'm not really following the forecasted temp for today. Earlier I got an alert about staying below freezing for 12 hours, so I'm not sure of this bump in temp will continue or if it will drop below freezing again. Thoughts?

[Brandon8181]

Stupid Question:

So, every time the temperature gets in the low 20's for about 2 days our pipes ALWAYS freeze (along with the neighborhood). We have pex tubing in the attic. I'm a little concerned with temperatures dropping in the single digits or WORSE.

So the question is, if I simply leave the water running (not full blast, but much more than a drip), will that keep the pipes from freezing?

First, not a stupid question. Is the whole house affected or just specific faucets? In our case, the water supply to our island kitchen sink has frozen. I was stumped until I went into a house being built that is the same as ours and realized the pex is run in the attic, then down an exterior wall to the slab where it connects to plumbing to the sink. I figure it was freezing in the exterior wall so now when the temps get low like this, we leave the cabinets open.

Unfortunately, when it freezes it is the entire home that freezes. That is why I'm wondering if we simply just run the water if it will keep it from freezing.