Frost and Freeze in Texas, February 10, 2011

Temperatures across Jim Hogg County fell to the freezing point shortly after midnight on the 10th, then continued in the upper 20s to around 30 degrees through 930 AM before rising through the 30s and into the 40s by noon under a chilly north wind. The low temperature at the Jim Hogg County Airport northwest of Hebbronville dipped to 27 degrees briefly. Combined with a persistent 5 to 15 mph north wind, it felt colder, with wind chill temperatures flirting with 20F for much of the period.

Temperatures across Zapata County fell to the freezing point by 2 AM or so on the 10th, then continued in the mid 20s to around 30 degrees through 830 AM before rising through the 30s and into the 40s by noon under a chilly north wind. The low temperature at the Zapata County Airport in Medina dipped to 26 degrees, with 2.5 hours of a hard freeze - temperatures below 28 degrees. Combined with north wind of 4 to 8 mph, it felt colder, with wind chill temperatures flirting with 20F for much of the period. Hard freeze areas were limited to preferred colder, sheltered locations.

Temperatures across Starr County fell to the freezing point by 3 AM or so on the 10th, then continued in the upper 20s to lower 30s through 8 AM before rising through the 30s and into the 40s by noon under a chilly north wind. The low temperature at the Falcon Lake Remote Automated Observing Station fell to 30 degrees, as did the cooperative observers at Falcon Dam and Rio Grande City. Combined with winds between 7 and 12 mph, it felt closer to 20 degrees for most of the early morning hours.

Temperatures across Brooks County fell to the freezing point shortly after 3 AM on the 10th, then continued in the upper 20s to around 32 degrees through 9 AM before rising through the 30s and 40s by noon. The cooperative observer in Sarita recorded a low of 28 degrees; the Remote Automated Weather Station at Linn/San Manuel National Wildlife Refuge (northern Hidalgo County) dipped to 29, with freezing temperatures lasting six hours.

Temperatures across Kenedy County fell to the freezing point shortly after 3 AM on the 10th, then continued in the upper 20s to around 32 degrees through 9 AM before rising through the 30s and 40s by noon. The cooperative observer in Sarita recorded a low of 28 degrees; another cooperative observer in Armstrong fell to 30 degrees.

Combined with estimated wind of 10 to 20 mph, it felt closer to 20 to 25 degrees from sunrise through 9 AM or so.

Temperatures across nearly all of lower-populated Hidalgo County fell to the freezing point between 3 and 4 AM or so on the 10th, then continued in the upper 20s to lower 30s through 9 AM before rising through the 30s and into the 40s by noon under a chilly north wind. In urban areas such as McAllen, the temperature only fell to 33 degrees. The combination of low temperatures and north winds of 8 to 15 mph gusting over 20 mph at times made it feel like the low to mid 20s.

Low temperatures included: 30 degrees at Weslaco/Mid Valley airport (3 hours freezing); 32 degrees at Edinburg/International Airport (2 hours); 29 degrees at Linn/San Manuel NWR (6 hours); and 32 degrees at the Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR east of Pharr (2 hours).

Temperatures across nearly all of inland Willacy County fell to the freezing point between 4 and 5 AM on the 10th, then continued in the upper 20s to lower 30s through 9 AM before rising through the 30s and into the 40s by noon under a brisk north wind. Lows fell to 30 at Raymondville, and 29 at the Linn/San Manuel National Wildlife Refuge (8 miles west of the Willacy/Hidalgo County Line) shortly after daybreak. Combined with sustained winds 15 to 20 mph with higher gusts, temperatures felt closer to 20 degrees for the morning commute and school bus ride.

Temperatures across nearly all of inland Cameron County fell to the freezing point just before daybreak on the 10th, then continued in the upper 20s to lower 30s through 9 AM before rising through the 30s and into the 40s by noon under a brisk north wind. Lows included Brownsville (32 degrees for 1 hour); Harlingen/Valley International Arpt (30 degrees, 4 hours freezing). Combined with sustained winds 15 to 20 mph with higher gusts, temperatures felt closer to 20 degrees for the morning commute and school bus ride.

Temperatures across nearly all of coastal Willacy County fell to the freezing point between 4 and 5 AM on the 10th, then continued in the upper 20s to lower 30s through 9 AM before rising through the 30s and into the 40s by noon under a brisk north wind. Lows fell to 30 at Port Mansfield, and 31 at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (8 miles south of the county line) shortly after daybreak. Combined with sustained winds 15 to 20 mph with higher gusts, temperatures felt closer to 20 degrees for the morning commute and school bus ride.

Temperatures across nearly all of coastal Cameron County fell to the freezing point just before daybreak on the 10th, then continued in the upper 20s to lower 30s through 9 AM before rising through the 30s and into the 40s by noon under a brisk north wind. Lows included Laguna Atascosa NWR (31 degrees, freezing for 4 hours); Bayview/Cameron County Airport (32 degrees, 1 hour), and South Padre Island (32 degrees, 1 hour). Combined with sustained winds 20 to 25 mph with higher gusts, temperatures felt closer to 20 degrees for the morning commute and school bus ride.