Chilling Records: Find Out What ‘Extreme Cold’ Means In Texas
Ever wondered how cold it can get in Texas? Most already know that the Lone Star State is famous for its scorching summers, but even this sun-baked state has had its share of bone-chilling days.
Texas is not the state you think about when it comes to harsh brutal winters; however, artic blasts are a different story. The National Weather Service has data that goes back a long time. Below you'll find the coldest nights on record for the state as a whole, as well as various cities across Texas.
CHILLING RECORDS: FIND OUT WHAT 'EXTREME COLD' MEANS IN TEXAS
February 1899, Tulia: -23°F (-30.6°C)
Talk about frigid. Back in February 1899, Tulia turned into a winter wonderland when the mercury plummeted to a jaw-dropping -23°F. That's colder than a typical winter day in Alaska.
February 1933, Seminole: -23°F (-30.6°C)
History repeated itself in 1933. Seminole matched Tulia's icy record, reminding us that Texas can indeed experience extreme cold.
January 1930, Stratford: -22°F (-30°C)
Stratford wasn't far behind with temperatures sinking to -22°F in January 1930. The kind of weather to break out your long underwear.
February 2021, Statewide: -2°F to 0°F (-18.9°C to -17.8°C)
More recently, in February 2021, a massive cold wave hit Texas, affecting power and water supply. Though it's not the absolute coldest on record, it was certainly widespread and made an impact.
December 1989, Dalhart: -22°F (-30°C)
Dalhart experienced a Christmas to remember in 1989 when temperatures dropped to a bone-chilling -22°F. Cold enough to cause Santa to need extra layers that year.
Below is a list of record lows from various cities across the state, courtesy of the National Weather Service.
Abilene - 9 below zero set in 1947
Amarillo - 16 below zero set in 1899
Austin - 2 below zero set in 1949
Beaumont - 10 degrees set in 1906
Brownsville - 12 degrees set in 1899
Corpus Christi - 11 degrees set in 1899
Dallas/Fort Worth - 8 below zero set in 1899
El Paso - 8 below zero set in 1962
Galveston - 8 degrees set in 1899
Houston - 5 degrees set in 1930 and 1940
Lubbock - 17 below zero set in 1933
Midland/Odessa - 11 below zero set in 1985
San Angelo - 4 below zero set in 1989
San Antonio - 0 degrees set in 1949
Waco - 5 below zero set in 1949 and 1899
Wichita Falls - 12 below zero set in 1947
There you have it, a peek at some of the coldest days in Texas history. It's fascinating to see how even a state known for its heat can surprise us with such icy records. Remember, when in Texas, the weather can be unpredictable - so always stay prepared.
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