Texas, 2011

Winter Storm in Texas, February 3 to 4, 2011

February 3 to 4, 2011 · NWS EWX · 24 events in 24 counties and zones

An arctic cold front pushed across South Central Texas early on February 1. An upper level storm system moved east across Texas during the early morning hours of February 4.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 24 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
2
Injuries
3
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
24

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.

An arctic cold front pushed across South Central Texas early on February 1. An upper level storm system moved east across Texas during the early morning hours of February 4. The lift associated with this low, along with the cold arctic air at the surface, produced freezing rain and snow during the overnight hours of February 3 and 4.

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 3, 5:56 PM CST, 2 hours 4 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 3, 5:56 PM CST, 2 hours 4 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX
556 PM CST THU FEB 3 2011

.AVIATION...
IN THE AUS AND SAN ANTONIO ARES CIGS ARE IN VFR CATEGORY AND WILL
CONTINUE THIS WAY FOR THE EVENING. AROUND 05Z CIGS WILL LOWER TO
MVFR AND SNOW SHOWERS WILL BEGIN INTERMITTENTLY. SNOW WILL BE OFF
AND ON UNTIL AROUND 14Z. THEN CIGS WILL LIFT TO VFR.

AT DRT CIGS WILL BE VFR THROUGH THE FORECAST PERIOD. THERE IS ONLY
A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SNOW...BUT PROB IS TOO LOW TO INCLUDE IN THE
TAF.

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 405 PM CST THU FEB 3 2011/

DISCUSSION...
WINTER STORM WARNING CONTINUES FOR EASTERN COUNTIES TO ACCOUNT FOR
EXPECTED 1-3 INCH SNOWFALL AMOUNTS. MODELS CONTINUE A DRY
QPF...BUT DO CONTINUE TO TREND EVER SO SLIGHTLY WETTER WITH EACH
RUN. FORECAST SOUNDING DATA AND MODEL PRECIP TYPE CONTINUES TO
SUGGEST ALL SNOW WITH PERHAPS A BRIEF POSSIBILITY OF SLEET FOR THE
FAR SOUTHEASTERN CORNER. THUS ALL SNOW IS DEPICTED IN THE
FORECAST...AND LATER SHIFTS CAN TRACK THE REPORTS COMING OUT OF THE
COASTAL BEND COUNTIES THAT WOULD SUGGEST ANY OTHER PRECIP TYPE.
SNOW TOTALS BASED ON THE QPF STILL IMPLIES A 1-3 INCH AMOUNTS BUT
WITH THE DRY AIR ENVIRONMENT...AM EXPECTING A FEW STRIPES OF THESE
HIGHER AMOUNTS AND MOST AREAS GETTING A DUSTING TO AN INCH. STILL
THE HIGHER TOTAL EXPECTATIONS OVER EASTERN COUNTIES SHOULD BE
ENOUGH TO CREATE SIGNIFICANT TRAVEL ISSUES FOR AN AREA NOT
ACCUSTOMED TO WINTER WEATHER TRAVEL.

DOWNSLOPING AND DRY AIR WILL HELP ERODE ALMOST ALL SNOW FOR LATE
FRIDAY SO WILL NOT EXPECT A SIGNIFICANT RE-FREEZE PROBLEM FOR MOST
AREAS FRIDAY NIGHT. WITH TEMPS GETTING ABOVE FREEZING FOR FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...MOST AREAS WILL HAVE SEEN 2.5-3 FULL DAYS OF
CONTINUOUS FREEZING TEMPERATURES. MILD TRENDS FOR SATURDAY SHOULD
REMOVE ALL REMNANT ICE WITH MANY AREAS STAYING ABOVE FREEZING FOR
SATURDAY NIGHT.

THE NEXT COLD FRONT APPEARS TO BE COMING INTO BETTER
FOCUS FOR SUNDAY WITH ADDITIONAL FRONTS POSSIBLE MONDAY AND LATE
WEDNESDAY. MODEL TRENDS ARE SHIFTING TOWARD A SHORTWAVE TROUGH TO
ACCOMPANY THE WEDNESDAY FRONT SO WILL ADD SOME LIGHT RAINS
POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY.

FIRE WEATHER...
THERE IS A SLIGHT POSSIBILITY OF ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
FOR FRIDAY...BUT MODEL TRENDS SUGGESTED LIGHTER WINDS. MODEL FORECAST
WINDS FROM FRONTS SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY COULD RESULT IN
ADDITIONAL POSSIBLE ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS...BUT FRONTAL
TIMING CONTINUES TO BE SHIFTING IN THE RUN-TO-RUN TRENDS OF THE
MODELS. THUS WILL DOWNPLAY UNTIL SPECIFIC FRONTS COME INTO BETTER
FOCUS.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
AUSTIN CAMP MABRY              18  34  23  57  34 /  70  20  -    0  -
AUSTIN BERGSTROM INTL AIRPORT  18  34  15  57  30 /  70  20  -    0  -
NEW BRAUNFELS MUNI AIRPORT     19  37  18  59  33 /  70  20  -    0  -
BURNET MUNI AIRPORT            16  34  20  54  32 /  50  20  -    0  -
DEL RIO INTL AIRPORT           15  46  21  62  33 /  20  -   -    0  -
GEORGETOWN MUNI AIRPORT        18  34  21  55  33 /  60  20  -    0  -
HONDO MUNI AIRPORT             17  42  18  61  31 /  50  10  -    0  -
SAN MARCOS MUNI AIRPORT        18  35  17  58  32 /  70  20  -    0  -
LA GRANGE - FAYETTE REGIONAL   21  34  22  56  32 /  70  30  -    0  -
SAN ANTONIO INTL AIRPORT       19  39  22  60  35 /  60  20  -    0  -
STINSON MUNI AIRPORT           19  40  20  61  33 /  70  20  -    0  -

&&

.EWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL NOON CST FRIDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES: BANDERA...BEXAR...BLANCO...BURNET...COMAL...FRIO...
GILLESPIE...HAYS...KENDALL...KERR...LLANO...MEDINA...TRAVIS...
WILLIAMSON.

WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL NOON CST FRIDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING
COUNTIES: ATASCOSA...BASTROP...CALDWELL...DE WITT...FAYETTE...
GONZALES...GUADALUPE...KARNES...LAVACA...LEE...WILSON.

&&

04/05
Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 3, 12:00 PM CST, 8 hours before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX
1200 PM CST THU FEB 3 2011

TXZ171>173-183>194-202>209-217>225-228-041200-
LLANO-BURNET-WILLIAMSON-VAL VERDE-EDWARDS-REAL-KERR-BANDERA-
GILLESPIE-KENDALL-BLANCO-HAYS-TRAVIS-BASTROP-LEE-KINNEY-UVALDE-
MEDINA-BEXAR-COMAL-GUADALUPE-CALDWELL-FAYETTE-MAVERICK-ZAVALA-
FRIO-ATASCOSA-WILSON-KARNES-GONZALES-DE WITT-LAVACA-DIMMIT-
1200 PM CST THU FEB 3 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...
A WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS
GENERALLY EAST OF THE I-35 CORRIDOR FOR SNOW AMOUNTS OF 2-4 INCHES
POSSIBLE TONIGHT. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT ALONG THE
I-35 CORRIDOR AND MUCH OF THE HILL COUNTRY FOR SNOW AMOUNTS OF
1-2 INCHES. SNOW AMOUNTS OVER THE WESTERN HILL COUNTRY AND RIO
GRANDE PLAINS ARE EXPECTED TO BE LESS THAN ONE HALF INCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY...
SNOW IS EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF FROM THE EAST FRIDAY MORNING WITH
THE WINTER STORM WARNING AND WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY EXPIRING AT
NOON FRIDAY. OTHERWISE NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Feb 3, 2:54 PM CST, 5 hours 6 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX
254 PM CST THU FEB 3 2011

TXZ183>185-202-203-217-218-228-040430-
VAL VERDE-EDWARDS-REAL-KINNEY-UVALDE-MAVERICK-ZAVALA-DIMMIT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DEL RIO...ROCKSPRINGS...LEAKEY...
BRACKETTVILLE...UVALDE...EAGLE PASS...CRYSTAL CITY...
CARRIZO SPRINGS
254 PM CST THU FEB 3 2011

...COLD EARLY FEBRUARY WEATHER WILL CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY...

THE ARCTIC AIRMASS THAT MOVED ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS
MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY WILL REMAIN ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS
THROUGH FRIDAY.

AN UPPER LEVEL STORM SYSTEM TO THE WEST WILL BRING A
GOOD POTENTIAL FOR ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL ACROSS THE
CENTRAL AND EASTERN PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS
TONIGHT THROUGH MIDDAY FRIDAY.

FURTHER TO THE WEST OVER VAL VERDE...EDWARDS...REAL...KINNEY...
UVALDE...MAVERICK...ZAVALA AND DIMMIT COUNTIES...THERE IS A
CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW OR SNOW FLURRIES THROUGH TONIGHT.
LITTLE OR NO ACCUMULATION OF SNOW IS EXPECTED. SKIES ARE
EXPECTED TO CLEAR FROM THE WEST ON FRIDAY MORNING.

RESIDENTS ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS SHOULD PROTECT
TENDER PLANTS...PIPES...PETS AND LIVESTOCK. THOSE WITH
TRAVEL INTERESTS THROUGH FRIDAY SHOULD MONITOR THE
LATEST WEATHER FORECASTS.

GO TO WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/EWX...OR STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO
FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION...FORECASTS...WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES
ON THIS UNFOLDING WINTER WEATHER EVENT.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

24 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Atascosa

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Atascosa forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
28.894, -98.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Bandera

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Bandera forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.747, -99.246 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Bastrop

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Bastrop forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.104, -97.312 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Bexar

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Bexar forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.449, -98.520 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Blanco

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Blanco forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.266, -98.400 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Burnet

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Burnet forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.788, -98.182 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Caldwell

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Caldwell forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.837, -97.620 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Comal

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Comal forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.808, -98.278 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, De Witt

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
De Witt forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.082, -97.357 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Fayette

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Fayette forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.877, -96.920 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Frio

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Frio forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
28.868, -99.108 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Gillespie

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Gillespie forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.318, -98.946 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Gonzales

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Gonzales forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.457, -97.492 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Guadalupe

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Guadalupe forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.583, -97.949 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Hays

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Hays forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.058, -98.031 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Karnes

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Karnes forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
28.906, -97.859 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Kendall

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Kendall forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.945, -98.712 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Lavaca

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Lavaca forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.384, -96.930 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Lee

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Lee forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.311, -96.966 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Llano

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Llano forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.706, -98.684 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Medina

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Medina forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.356, -99.110 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Travis

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Travis forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 2 indirect
Injuries
0 direct, 3 indirect
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.335, -97.782 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th. There were two fatality car accidents as a result of the icy roads.

Winter Storm, Williamson

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Williamson forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
30.648, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

Winter Storm, Wilson

When
February 3, 8:00 PM CST to February 4, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Wilson forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
29.174, -98.087 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An upper level storm approached the area the evening of February 3rd and produced light freezing drizzle which quickly formed a thin layer of ice on all exposed surfaces, making travel very dangerous. The greatest ice accumulation was one quarter of an inch in DeWitt County. The precipitation later turned mostly to light snow along with a few reports of sleet. The greatest snow amounts were from 1 to 2 inches, mainly across portions of Travis and Williamson Counties with generally less than one inch, across the Hill Country, portions of San Antonio, and areas east of I-35. There were over 500 traffic accidents reported in San Antonio and Austin during the overnight hours as well as others in most of the other counties. The icy roads forced all of the major highways in San Antonio to close during the night. For a time, I-35 was closed from San Marcos through San Antonio into Atascosa County, a stretch of nearly 100 miles. Many other highways were closed across the area including parts of I-10, US Hwy 90, US Hwy 77, and US Hwy 290. Most area schools were closed February 4th.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

EventDateAgeSexWhereKind
Winter Storm, Travis2011-02-0419MaleVehicle/Towed TrailerIndirect
Winter Storm, Travis2011-02-04Vehicle/Towed TrailerIndirect

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

More

Every storm in Texas in 2011Every state in 2011This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, February 2011

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: 277044, 277046, 277047, 277048, 277049, 277050, 277051, 277052, 277053, 277054, 277055, 277056, 277057, 277058, 277059, 277060, 277061, 277063, 277064, 277065, 277066, 277067, 277068, 277069.