Winter Storm in Texas, January 6 to 7, 1997

An arctic front pushed through North Texas late on the 4th. The cold air deepened over the area on the 5th and 6th as a secondary surge of arctic air spread southward from the northern and central plains. While the cold air established itself over the southern plains, a strong upper level storm organized over the southwestern United States. Several upper level disturbances moved from the developing storm across northern Texas on the 6th. Relatively warm, moist air was lifted over the shallow arctic air near the surface, resulting in the formation of precipitation. By the time this precipitation developed, the atmosphere over much of North Texas was cold enough for snow. A band of one to three inch snows fell from Goldthwaite and Brownwood, across southern Tarrant and Dallas Counties, and into northeastern Texas. Within this 50-mile wide band there were areas of heavier snowfalls of four to six inches. Travel problems resulted in traffic accidents and school closures.Four inches of snow fell across the county between 1000 am and midnight.