Bitter cold and periods of wintry weather freeze West Texas
10-18 February 2021

Mid-February 2021 brought some of the coldest air that the South Plains region has experienced in decades. Initially, the cold air eased into the area from the east, keeping the eastern Texas Panhandle and Rolling Plains cool while spots on the Caprock enjoyed mild to warm afternoons. This changed on Tuesday, February 9th, when the cold air advanced westward across the entire South Plains, beginning the long stretch of entrenched cold, complete with bouts of frozen precipitation.

Snow picked up in earnest late Saturday night and continued, off and on, much of Sunday (Valentine's Day). Snow totals of 2 to 4 inches were common during this stretch, though exact amounts were tough to measure because of the blowing and drifting. A few higher totals were measured, including 6.5 inches in Friona, 5.8 inches in Muleshoe and 5 inches in Slaton and Guthrie. The fluffy snow was easily tossed around by northeasterly winds of 15-25 mph, occasionally gusting over 30 mph. Snow drifts of a couple feet or more were common. The snow covered roadways and reduced visibility in snow and blowing snow did create hazardous travel. Even more impressive than the snow was the very cold temperatures and bitterly cold wind chills. Temperatures on Sunday were only in the single digits, and with the gusty northeasterly winds, it felt like 10 to 20 degrees below zero.

The snow gradually diminished over the central and southern South Plains by early Tuesday evening, but snow lingered over the southern Texas Panhandle and northern South Plains into the night. In fact, cloudy skies and periods of light snow and flurries persisted over much of the region into Wednesday, complete with areas of freezing fog early in the day. After starting the day in the single digits, temperatures managed to rebound into the 20s for most spots during the afternoon.

Mid-February brought a week plus of round after round of frozen precipitation, from freezing drizzle (and freezing fog) to bouts of flurries and light to moderate (and briefly heavy) snow. In total, Lubbock experienced 9 straight days (February 10-18th) with at least a trace of frozen precipitation. The Lubbock Airport officially recorded 3.8 inches of snow, though only 0.25 inches of liquid when the snow and ice was melted down. Other locations saw as much as 6+ inches of total snowfall. All of the wintry weather created a prolonged period of hazardous roadways, not just here in West Texas, but over nearly the entire state. Even during lulls in precipitation, the cold temperatures didn't support much improvement on the roadways as snow and ice held firm.

*NOTE: Highlighted days are when new records (minimum highs or lows) are set.

The coldest temperature at Lubbock during this brutal stretch, 0 degrees, reached late on the 14th and early on the 15th, was the lowest temperature recorded since late in 1989 when it dropped just below zero (-1 and -2 degrees on 12/23 and 12/22, respectively). The high of 14 degrees, experienced on the 14th and 15th, tied for the 8th lowest high on record, and was the coldest high temperature recorded since January 12th, 1997 (12 degrees). In addition, the average temperature of 7 degrees, also recorded on the 14th and 15th, tied for the 15th coldest day on record. The coldest average day on record in Lubbock is 0.5 degrees, recorded on February 8, 1933.

*NOTE: Highlighted days are when new records (minimum highs or lows) are tied or set.

The coldest temperature at Childress during this deep chill, -4 degrees, reached on the 15th and 16th, tied for the 6th coldest on record and was the lowest temperature recorded since late in 1989 when it dropped to -5 degrees (12/23/1989). The high of 12 degrees, experienced on the 15th and 16th, tied for the 7th lowest high on record, and was the coldest high temperature recorded since December 22nd, 1990 (10 degrees). In addition, the average temperature of 4 degrees, also recorded on the 15th and 16th, tied for the 3rd coldest day on record. The coldest average day on record in Childress is -4.5 degrees, recorded on January 17, 1930 (number two is 2 degrees, recorded 2/12/1905).

Not surprisingly, the intense and long-duration cold resulted in huge impacts locally, regionally and nationally. In addition to keeping roads hazardous, since lingering snow and ice refused to melt, numerous pipes froze and/or burst causing significant property damage. The power grids were also stretched beyond their limit, forcing rolling blackouts. The blackouts were relatively short-lived and localized around Lubbock, but much of Texas (on ERCOT) endured blackouts that lasted for days.

Preliminary snow reports collected during a couple of periods during this prolonged sub-freezing event can be found below.