Winter Storm in Texas, February 24 to 26, 2003

Name: Winter Storm in Texas, February 24 to 26, 2003
Start: 2003-02-24T19:00
End: 2003-02-26T12:00
Location: Texas

February 24 to 26, 2003 · NWS EWX · 20 events in 20 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 20 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 20

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS EWX wrote it up.

SYNOPSIS: An arctic blast brought a combination of freezing rain, sleet and snow into the northern portion of South Central Texas beginning Monday afternoon, February 24. The wintery mixture began over the Hill Country and spread east and south to the Austin and San Antonio areas by Monday evening. From Monday night into early Tuesday morning, the wintery mixture was accompanied by thunder. The icy conditions continued through Tuesday, virtually bringing businesses and governmental offices to a halt. Most area schools were forced to remain closed on Tuesday, in spite of the fact that required statewide skills assessment tests were scheduled that day. Most schools were able to resume classes on a delayed basis on Wednesday, as the precipitation ended in the morning and temperatures were able to recover slowly above the freezing mark.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 24, 6:36 PM CST, 24 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 24, 6:36 PM CST, 24 minutes before

SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX
636 PM CST MON FEB 24 2003

...WINTER STORM WARNING FOR NORTHERN SECTIONS...
COLD ADVECTION CONTINUES TO DOMINATE DESPITE PRECIPATION MIXING. ICE
HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BE STICKING TO THE GROUND IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS
OF THE HILL COUNTRY, INCLUDING THE WEST SIDE OF AUSTIN. WILL UPGRADE
TO WINTER STORM WARNING AND MENTION SOME SNOW IN THE FORECAST NORTH
PER RECENT REPORTS. WILL

.EWX...WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THE HILL COUNTRY AND BALCONES
       ESCARPMENT
    ...WINTER WX ADVISORY EXPANDED SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST

18/3/DC

.PREVIOUS DISCUSSION................................................
STRONG COLD ADVECTION CONTINUES AS ISENTROPIC LIFT STRENGTHENING DUE
TO LOW LEVEL JET AHEAD OF SHORT-WAVE APPROACHING AREA.  MODELS SHOW
GREATEST LIFT AND MOISTURE THIS EVENING.  LIGHT RAIN AND DRIZZLE
DEVELOPING ACROSS CWA.  EVAPORATIVE COOLING HAS LED TO FREEZING RAIN
AND DRIZZLE ALREADY IN THE FAR NORTHERN CWA.  EXPECT WITH TIME, THIS
WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE HILL COUNTRY THIS AFTERNOON
TO THE ESCARPMENT COUNTIES BY MIDNIGHT.  AMOUNT OF LIFT AND QPF,
SUGGESTS A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS WARRANTED INTO TUESDAY MORNING
FOR THE ABOVE MENTIONED AREAS.  BY MIDNIGHT, SHORT-WAVE LIFTS
NORTHEAST OF AREA ENDING RAIN.  HOWEVER, SERIES OF SHEARED WEAKER
SHORT-WAVES IN THE SOUTHWESTERLY FLOW ALOFT AND ISENTROPIC LIFT
MAINTAIN DRIZZLE WITH PERIODS OF LIGHT RAIN THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT.
THUS, HIGH POPS WITH LITTLE QPF, EXCEPT FOR THIS EVENING.  A STRONGER
SHORT-WAVE PASSES EARLY WEDNESDAY WITH SHOWERS ENDING FROM THE WEST
AND PARTIAL CLEARING TAKING PLACE. COLDEST NIGHT TONIGHT, THEN SLOW
WARMING AS WARMER TEMPERATURES MIX TO THE SURFACE AND MUCH WARMER ON
WEDNESDAY AS SUN MAKES FOR MORE EFFICIENT HEATING.  WILL TREND TOWARD
THE MAV GUIDANCE THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT, THEN A BLEND LATER ON.
THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY LOOK POP-FREE WITH MINIMAL LIFT AND MOISTURE
AIRMASS.  LATER ON FRIDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND, SERIES OF SHORT-WAVES
INDUCE MOISTURE RETURN AND LIFT GENERATING POSSIBLE RAIN AND SHOWERS.
FRONTS MAY MOVE INTO THE AREA DURING THE EXTENDED WITH COOL SURFACE
HIGHS BUILDING IN BEHIND, SO WILL LOWER TEMPERATURES, ESPECIALLY OVER
THE WEEKEND.

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 24, 6:00 AM CST, 13 hours before

TXZ171>173-183>194-202>209-217>225-228-251200-

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX
600 AM CST MON FEB 24 2003

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS.

.DAY ONE...TODAY
HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED TODAY AND TONIGHT.
COLD WEATHER WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION TODAY WITH CLOUDY SKIES
AND A CHANCE OF RAIN POSSIBLY MIXED WITH FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET.
THIS WEATHER WILL MAKE FOR SLIPPERY WET DRIVING CONDITIONS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...
NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
DAMP AND CHILLY CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TUESDAY WITH A CHANCE OF
RAIN POSSIBLY MIXED WITH FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

20 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Blanco

When: February 24, 7:00 PM CST to February 26, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Blanco forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 30.266, -98.400 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The winter storm struck first in the Texas Hill Country, producing ice accumulation by early evening of between 1/ 2 and 1 inch. Many of the county roads were not usable by midnight Monday night and area schools and businesses shut down on Tuesday. The storm moved out of the area, and temperatures recovered into the middle 30s by noon.

Winter Storm, Burnet

When: February 24, 7:00 PM CST to February 26, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Burnet forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 30.788, -98.182 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Roads became icy early Monday evening and forced the closing of schools, offices and most businesses through the day on Tuesday. Roads were reopened by noon on Wednesday. No electrical outages were reported.

Winter Storm, Llano

When: February 24, 7:00 PM CST to February 26, 11:00 AM CST
Where: Llano forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 30.706, -98.684 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Authorities reported that roads and bridges began to ice over Monday night, forcing the closing of many county roads. City and county offices, as well as most businesses and all area schools remained closed on Tuesday, and reopened near noon on Wednesday. No power outages were indicated.

Winter Storm, Gillespie

When: February 24, 7:00 PM CST to February 26, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Gillespie forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 30.318, -98.946 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain that began falling Monday afternoon caused the closing of numerous county roads by that evening. All public and private schools remained closed on Tuesday. Also, many county, city and private businesses remained closed on Tuesday. Schools, offices and businesses reopened late on Wednesday morning. The only loss of electric power was in the Stonewall area where a vehicle ran into a power poll, knocking out power to several dozen residences for around 3 hours.

Winter Storm, Williamson

When: February 24, 7:00 PM CST to February 26, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Williamson forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 30.648, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Most state and city offices in the county closed early Monday afternoon, remained closed or operated with minimal staffs on Tuesday, and delayed opening until noon on Wednesday. Most schools and many businesses were also closed on Tuesday. Accidents north of the county caused backups on I35 southward to past Jarrell on Tuesday. Several Georgetown restaurants remained open late Tuesday night to serve stranded motorists.

Winter Storm, Travis

When: February 24, 8:00 PM CST to February 26, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Travis forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 30.335, -97.782 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The winter storm struck Travis County Monday evening, knocking out power to nearly 11,000 homes that night in the north part of the city. I-35 was shut down for much of Tuesday in Austin as most city and county bridges and elevated roads reported up to an inch of ice. Most schools remained closed Tuesday with only a few opening in the late morning before closing up early in the afternoon. Most city and county offices were closed or staffed at minimum levels and most business operated at reduced hours. Travel was back to normal by noon on Wednesday.

Winter Storm, Kendall

When: February 24, 8:00 PM CST to February 26, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Kendall forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 29.945, -98.712 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice accumulations forced the closing of dozens of roads by late evening across the county. I-10 was closed from late Monday night into Wednesday morning in the county. Most city and county offices remained closed on Tuesday, along with area schools and businesses. By noon on Wednesday, the wintery precipitation had ended and temperatures had recovered above the freezing mark.

Winter Storm, Kerr

When: February 24, 8:00 PM CST to February 26, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Kerr forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 30.062, -99.350 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A buildup of ice and snow forced the closure of I-35 through Kerr County Monday evening. Numerous local county roads were also closed. Scores of motorists were stranded in motels along I-35 through the day on Tuesday. Many businesses and most schools remained closed on Tuesday, with delayed openings on Wednesday morning. 60 families lost electric power in the Kerrville area briefly on Monday evening.

Winter Storm, Bexar

When: February 24, 9:00 PM CST to February 26, 8:00 AM CST
Where: Bexar forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 29.449, -98.520 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous roads, including sections of I-35, I-10, Loop 410 and Loop 1604 were shut down across Bexar County as ice accumulations beginning late Monday afternoon continued into the night. Around 200 residences in South Bexar County lost power late Monday night after power lines failed under the weight of the ice. Power was restored near noon on Tuesday. Nearly all city, county and federal offices were closed on Tuesday, along with area schools and businesses. Normal activity resumed by mid-morning on Wednesday as temperatures warmed above the freezing mark. Numerous flights were cancelled at San Antonio International Airport on Tuesday due to the icing problems, stranding hundreds of passengers. Over 300 miles of I-10 were shut down between San Antonio and Fort Stockton in the Texas Big Bend as a result of the ice.

Winter Storm, Comal

When: February 24, 9:00 PM CST to February 26, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Comal forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 29.808, -98.278 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice began to form Monday evening across the county, with numerous roads closed before midnight. As a result, area schools were cancelled Tuesday. Many of the city and county offices, as well as private businesses, were also closed on Tuesday. Normal business and travel resumed by late morning Wednesday.

Winter Storm, Hays

When: February 24, 9:00 PM CST to February 26, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Hays forecast zone
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 30.058, -98.031 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Many county roads were closed late Monday night due to ice accumulations. As the accumulations persisted into Tuesday, city and county government offices as well as schools and businesses were forced to remain closed. Reopenings were delayed until late morning on Wednesday as the precipitation ended and temperatures recovered slowly into the mid 30s.

Winter Storm, Medina

When: February 24, 10:00 PM CST to February 26, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Medina forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 29.356, -99.110 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice and snow accumulations began Monday night, with sections of I-35 being shut down near midnight. County roads were also closed for most of Tuesday. Electric power experienced short failures only. Several schools closed on Tuesday, while others opened in the late morning. Damage was reported to trees and plants from the combination of cold temperatures and the ice.

Winter Storm, Bandera

When: February 24, 10:00 PM CST to February 26, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Bandera forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 29.747, -99.246 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Roads in Bandera County began to ice over by late Monday night along with county bridges. The roads and bridges were closed by midnight Monday night and remained closed until mid-morning on Wednesday. Because of the widespread problem, Bandera schools remained closed on Tuesday, reopening in a delayed manner on Wednesday morning. Most city and county offices, as well as private businesses, were closed on Tuesday.

Winter Storm, Guadalupe

When: February 24, 10:00 PM CST to February 26, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Guadalupe forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 29.583, -97.949 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Freezing rain and sleet began falling in the evening, and by midnight most county bridges and numerous county roads had been closed due to ice. By Tuesday morning, problems were so widespread that most schools and businesses, as well as city and county offices, remained closed. Conditions began to improve Wednesday morning and by noon all activity was back to normal.

Winter Storm, Edwards

When: February 24, 11:00 PM CST to February 26, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Edwards forecast zone
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates: 29.983, -100.305 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice began to accumulate on county bridges just before midnight Monday night. The accumulations forced the closing of several county roads through the day Tuesday and the early morning hours on Wednesday. Schools were delayed opening on Tuesday and Wednesday. A few businesses were also closed on Tuesday.

Winter Storm, Real

When: February 24, 11:00 PM CST to February 26, 10:00 AM CST
Where: Real forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 29.832, -99.822 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Roads and bridges began to accumulate ice in Real County in the late evening and by midnight, many of them had been closed. As a result of the icing problems, schools were closed on Tuesday, and did not reopen until mid-morning on Wednesday. Many area businesses were also closed on Tuesday.

Winter Storm, Caldwell

When: February 25, 1:00 AM CST to February 26, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Caldwell forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 29.837, -97.620 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice forced the closing of city and county roads shortly after midnight on Monday and the problems continued through the day Tuesday. As a result, schools remained closed on Tuesday, as did government offices and many businesses. Temperature remained below freezing until almost noon on Wednesday, after which conditions began to return to normal.

Winter Storm, Bastrop

When: February 25, 2:00 AM CST to February 26, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Bastrop forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 30.104, -97.312 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice began causing problems late Monday evening, with numerous roads closed through the day on Tuesday. All schools modified their schedules, with many of the schools deciding to remain closed on Tuesday, then reopening later on Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm, Lee

When: February 25, 2:00 AM CST to February 26, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Lee forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 30.311, -96.966 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Roads began to ice over in Lee County after midnight Monday night. Some schools decided not to open on Tuesday, while others operated a partial day and dismissed classes early. Many city and county offices were closed through Tuesday. By noon on Wednesday, all operations were back to normal. No power outages were indicated.

Winter Storm, Fayette

When: February 25, 4:00 AM CST to February 26, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Fayette forecast zone
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Coordinates: 29.877, -96.920 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Fayette County was one of the last counties to suffer the onslaught of the winter event, as the ice and snow did not develop until just before sunrise. Conditions became severe enough that many of the county roads and bridges were closed by mid-morning on Tuesday and area schools were not able to open. Conditions improved slowly in the late morning on Wednesday, and by afternoon, all was back to normal.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2003 Every state in 2003 This day in weather history Warnings in Texas, February 2003

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5341347, 5341348, 5341349, 5341350, 5341351, 5341352, 5341353, 5341821, 5341822, 5341823, 5341824, 5341025, 5341825, 5341826, 5341026, 5341027, 5341028, 5341029, 5341030, 5341031.