Traditionally, Texas has been viewed as a place of hot weather, cacti, and ranches, but that’s far from the truth. However, Texas has high-altitude places that make it prevalent to snow at certain times in certain parts.
In this post, ill cover all you need to know about whether it snows in Texas and places or cities with snow in Texas. Let’s cut to the chase.
Texas Climate
Generally, Texas has unclassified weather that you cannot easily predict as it’s a combination of humid areas mainly covering the eastern side and the arid regions that take up most of the western side. And the underlying fact that Taxes undoubtedly covers 695 662 kilometres explains why there are significant weather changes. Similarly, Texas records 139 tornadoes every year.
However, snow and cold are mostly witnessed by Texans living on the western and northern sides every year. These are regions such as Waco and Austin, where we often get reports that temperatures have been below freezing.
Record Cold and Snow Events in Texas
Typically, no definite fact would explain why most of Texa’s cold regions sometimes don’t experience snow throughout the year. However, it’s worth mentioning that it was recently reported that cold snaps and snowstorms were shared.
The first snowstorm was first recorded in 1956 on the northern side of Texas, leading to Vega experiencing 61 inches of snowfall. And in El Paso, there was 22-inch snowfall in 1987 that lasted for nearly 24 hours.
Similarly, Texans had it rough in December 1983 as they experienced one of the detrimental winters. During this period, the weather stations read 32 F for the long stretch in their history. In Lubbock specifically, the temperature was below freezing for approximately 207 hours without changes, whereas in Dallas, Texas, the airport recorded constant freezing temperatures for 296 hours.
And in February 2021, Texas experienced the worst ever cold snap that disrupted the daily lives of most Texans. Austin specifically had it rough as the temperatures were below freezing for almost eight days. At the same time, places like Waco, which is in the central part of Texas, experienced 9-day consecutive freezing.
Regular Snow In Texas
Despite the annual weather change, in an average year, expect snow in Texas even though states on the Northern side of Texas will record less snow. Generally, the moderate snow should be 0.1 inches so that it can get melty within a few days.
Where Does It Snow in Texas?
So now that you know it snows in Texas, it’s about time we look at where exactly it snows in Texas. And by that I mean the scenery and snow-capped mountains you can pay a visit, relax and have a life-changing experience.
Let’s look at some of these places;
1. Amarillo
If you’re looking for a city that experiences snow and provides the best scenery, Amarillo is the best place to start with, as it’s elevated at 3 600 feet and receives 18 inches of snow yearly. Moreover, the city has a unique rocky desert filled with snowfalls. The city has Palo Duro Canyon State Park, where you can visit and enjoy the scenery and multi-use trails.
2. Lubbock
Lubbock is another great city to visit in Texas, even though snow isn’t prevalent as in other cities. However, there are times when Lubbock experiences a massive snow rate, mainly from October to December. Despite its snowy nature, the city’s attraction sites are not that greatly affected, and hence things continue to run smoothly.
3. El Paso
Most people think it doesn’t rain in El Paso since it’s close to Mexico and the desert landscape, but that’s a wrong assumption as you can easily take a short car drive to Franklin Mountain State Park and enjoy the scenery covered with snow. Similarly, the mountain is where you’d expect the snow to stay for long.
4. Big Bend National Park
Even though Big Bend National Park is close to Mexico, it still has snow on its elevated points, making it a beautiful place to visit. One of the elevation points of Big Bend National Park is the Chisos Mountains which allows you to drive uphill to see snow and enjoy the view. Similarly, Big Bend National Park has hiking trails to experience the snow.
5. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is one of the highest points in texas as it has an elevation of approximately 8000 feet which means during winter, expect snow in Guadalupe. The park has some hiking trails to help you enjoy your time in the snow. Similarly, the park’s campground is always open despite the strong winds.
Does It Snow in Dallas, Texas?
Generally, Dallas, Texas, usually is not associated with snow. However, there have been reports in 2010-2021 of unusual snowstorms, which is simply due to frequent weather changes.
Conclusion – Does It Snow In Texas?
Texas weather isn’t something you should plant hopes on as it continuously keeps on changing and ranging, and the rate at which it snows in certain cities doesn’t remain the same. Due to its temperature variations, it might be cold between December and January. So if you’re looking for places to visit in Texas when it’s snowing, refer to the list above.