Texas, 2020

Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Texas, October 26 to 29, 2020

October 26 to 29, 2020 · NWS AMA · 21 events in 21 counties and zones

A record cold arctic air mass for late October moved across the high plains on Sunday, October 25th as a major winter storm slowly developed over the Desert Southwest. This combination led to a light wintry precipitation episode early Monday morning and then two to three additional significant wintry precipitation episodes from Monday night through early Thursday morning.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 21 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

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The toll

Deaths
1
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
21

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 AMA wrote it up.

A record cold arctic air mass for late October moved across the high plains on Sunday, October 25th as a major winter storm slowly developed over the Desert Southwest. This combination led to a light wintry precipitation episode early Monday morning and then two to three additional significant wintry precipitation episodes from Monday night through early Thursday morning. The initial heavier precipitation event on Monday night included a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain in the central and eastern Panhandles with heavy snow across portions of the northern Panhandles. Impacts from this first event were mainly poor travel conditions due to icy roads which led to numerous school and business delays and closures. Most of the freezing rain came from the second precipitation episode Tuesday night into early Wednesday across the southeast Texas Panhandle when to ice accumulations occurred. Additional sleet and snow accumulations occurred further west where deeper cold air existed. This again led to significant travel issues, but also caused numerous power outages and tree damage in areas hardest hit by ice, with the majority of several counties left without power for multiple days. One final precipitation episode occurred as the main storm system crossed Texas just south of the Texas Panhandle Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. This precipitation fell in the form of rain across the northern Panhandles and the southeast Texas Panhandle where temperatures had managed to increase into the mid 30s, but heavy snow occurred in the central and southwest Texas Panhandle where temperatures remained in the low 30s. The combination of windy conditions and heavy snow, with rates of over 2 inches per hour at times, led to treacherous travel due to poor visibility and rapid snow accumulations on roadways. With trees and powerlines still heavy due to ice from previous freezing rain events, strong winds and heavy wet snow led to additional power outages. Snow and ice melted rapidly off roadways on Thursday and travel greatly improved by midday.

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 Amarillo, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Oct 25, 11:17 PM CST, 43 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Oct 25, 11:17 PM CST, 43 minutes before
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The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

13 winter storm, 6 heavy snow, 2 ice storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Dallam

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Dallam forecast zone
Reported by
CoCoRaHS
Coordinates
36.278, -102.602 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Five to eight inches of snow fell the night of the 26th into morning of 27th with the highstr amounts occurring across the far west. Another round of snow dropped an additional four to seven inches on the evening of the 28th. Higher amounts were again in the western part of Dallam County where Texline received and estimated 14 to 15 inches fell over two days.

Winter Storm, Lipscomb

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Lipscomb forecast zone
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
36.278, -100.273 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. Around an additonal inch of sleet and snow pellets fell overnight on the 26th into the 27th creating some poor driving conditions. On the evening of the 28th another round of snow fell in the southern half of the county with an estimated four to six inches in the southern part of the county. During the evening of the 28th every thing in the northern half of the county fell as rain as tempertures warmed into the mid 30s.

Winter Storm, Ochiltree

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Ochiltree forecast zone
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
36.278, -100.816 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. Light winter precipitation fell on the morning of the 27th. Freezing rain occurred on the evening of the 27th with 0.25 to 0.4 inches of ice accretion occurred. The higher ice amounts were in the southern portions of the county. On the evening of the 28th additional snow fell on top of ice accumulations mainly in the southern portions of the county.

Ice Storm, Carson

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 2:30 AM CST
Where
Carson forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
35.404, -101.354 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. More significant freezing rain fell for several hours on the evening of the 27th resulting in additonal ice accumulations of 0.25 to 0.5 inches across the majority of the county. The higher amounts around half an inch were across the eastern third of the county. These ice amounts created numerous power outages across the county. New snow fall of 2 to 3 inches on the evening of the 28th combined with windy conditions led to continnued impacts ttrough Wedensday night.

Heavy Snow, Oldham

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 12:30 AM CST
Where
Oldham forecast zone
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
35.405, -102.603 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Light accumulations of sleet, snow pellets and freezing rain caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. One to two inches of snow and sleet fell during the early morning hours of the 27th. Another round of snow on the evening of the 28th dropped an additional 4 to 8 inches where the higher amounts were across the central to eastern portions of the county. Overall snow totals ranged from 6 to 10 inches.

Heavy Snow, Moore

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Moore forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
35.838, -101.893 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Multple periods of sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th into Tuesday, October 27th. Five to seven inches of new snow fell on the evening of the 28th. The higher end of this new amount was in the far west and far eastern portions of the county.

Heavy Snow, Hansford

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Hansford forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
36.278, -101.354 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. Around 1 to 3 inches of snow fell going into the morning the 27th, then much more snow fell on the 28th. In the end, around 4 to 8 inches of snow fell across the county over the next two days with the higher amounts in the southeast half of the county.

Winter Storm, Hutchinson

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Hutchinson forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
35.840, -101.355 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. One to two inches of sleet and snow mix fell early morning on the 27th. Estimated that .20 to .30 of ice accumulated with during the evening of the 27th on top of snow from that morning. Estimates of ice are based on surrounding observations with the higher amounts in the southeastern portion of the county. An additional 1 to 3 inches of snow fell on the evening of the 28th.

Heavy Snow, Sherman

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Sherman forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
36.278, -101.893 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and snow pellets led to light accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. Three to eight inches fell across the county with the higher amounts in the far southern portion of the county over a two day period from October 27th to October 28th.

Heavy Snow, Hartley

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 12:00 AM CST
Where
Hartley forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
35.840, -102.603 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Light snow accumulations began early in the morning of October 26th, but the main snow events occurred over the next few days. Two day snow estimate of around 6 to 12 inches across the county from October 27th through the 28th. Higher amounts were located in the west to northwest corner of the county. First round of snow fell early morning on the 27th then more snow fell on the evening of the 28th.

Winter Storm, Potter

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Potter forecast zone
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
35.401, -101.894 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. Isolated sleet accumulaitons just under 1/2 inch occurred in a narrow band across the county. During the evening of the 27th freezing rain and sleet fell across the county with ice accumulations of 0.25 to 0.3 inches accretions being measured across the southeast corner of the county. During the evening of the 28th another round of wintry precipitation dropped 4 to 8 inches of new wet and heavy snow accumulations across the county. The highest amounts of 6 to 8 inches were located along and just north of I-40. With ice accumulations already existing on trees and powerline the combination of wind gusts to 45 mph together with the new snow caused downed tree limbs and power lines in some areas of the county with scattered power outages. School and business delays an closures occurred at verious times throughout the multiple day event.

Winter Storm, Deaf Smith

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Deaf Smith forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
34.966, -102.605 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. Isolated sleet accumulaitons just under 1/2 inch occurred in a narrow band across the county. Additional sleet accumulations upwards of half an inch along with light freezing rain accumulations occurred on the morning of the 27th. Another freezing rain episode during the evening of the 27th lead to 0.25 to 0.30 inches of ice accumulation mainly in the far eastern zones of the county. This lead to broken tree limbs and power poles leading to power outages. One more round of winter weather dropped three to eight inches of snow on the evening of the 28th. The higher snow amounts of around 8 inches were mainly in the north central portion of the county.

Winter Storm, Randall County

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 29, 2:00 AM CST
Where
Randall County forecast zone
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
34.966, -101.897 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. Additional minor impacts from winter weather occurred on the morning of the 27th from 1 to 2 inches of a sleet/snow mix. During the evening of the 27th the county saw several hours of freezing rain leading to ice accumulations of 0.25 to 0.3 inches in the mainly in the northern and eastern portions of the county. On the night of the 28th an additional 5 to 6 inches of snow fell mainly in the northern half of the county leading to already covered tree limbs and power lines breaking knocking out power in portions of the area including south Amarillo.

Winter Storm, Palo Doro Canyon

When
October 26, 12:00 AM CST to October 28, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Palo Doro Canyon forecast zone
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
34.966, -101.897 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. Additional impacs occurred on the morning of the 27th with sleet accumulations exceeding half an inch. Freezing rain fell on the 27th with accumulations ranging from one quarter to one half inch of ice.

Winter Storm, Roberts

When
October 26, 1:00 AM CST to October 29, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Roberts forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
35.839, -100.813 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. Isolated sleet accumulaitons just under 1/2 inch occurred in a narrow band across the county. Freezing rain created problems of downed trees and power lines across the county with ice accumulations ranging from 0.25 inches to 0.50 inches during the late hours of the 27th. Where the higher range of these amounts were located in the southern portion of the county adjacent to Gray County. An additional 4 to 6 inches of snow fell on the evening of the 28th with the higher amounts located across the central to northern portions of the county.

Winter Storm, Gray

When
October 26, 1:00 AM CST to October 29, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Gray forecast zone
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
35.401, -100.813 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. Additional impacts occurred from half an inch of sleet on the morning of the 27th. During the evening of the 27th the county saw several hours of freezing rain that lead to ice accumulations of half an inch to three quarters of and inch across the majority of the county. This higher amounts of ice were located east of Pampa. These ice totals lead to wide spread power outages and broken tree limbs. An additional 2 to 3 inches of snow fell on the evening of the 28th.

Winter Storm, Hemphill

When
October 26, 1:00 AM CST to October 29, 3:00 AM CST
Where
Hemphill forecast zone
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
35.838, -100.270 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. Isolated sleet accumulations just under 1/2 inch occurred in a narrow band across the county. Additional winter weather impacts from upwards of half an inch of sleet accumulations occurred on the morning of the 27th. This lead to very poor driving conditions. On the evening of the 28th, heavy snow led to 4 to 6 inch accumulations. The highest accumulations occurred in the far northern portions of the county adjacent to Lipscomb County and included Canadian, TX.

Winter Storm, Wheeler

When
October 26, 4:00 AM CST to October 28, 6:00 AM CST
Where
Wheeler forecast zone
Deaths
0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
35.401, -100.270 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. There was one fatality associated with a one-car accident on I-40 about 10 miles west of Shamrock that was partly attributed to poor driving conditions. The area saw additional winter weather impacts with sleet accumulations of half an inch to three quarters of an inch on roadways during the morning of the 27th. Freezing rain fell again for several hours during the evening of the 27th leading to ice accumulations of half an inch to three quarters of an inch. The higher amounts of ice were located in the northwest quarter of the county. This amount of ice lead to widespread tree and power pole damage with widespread power outages.

Winter Storm, Collingsworth

When
October 26, 4:00 AM CST to October 28, 6:00 AM CST
Where
Collingsworth forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
34.965, -100.270 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. Additional precipitation events led to overall sleet and snow pellet accumulations of one inch by Tuesday morning, October 27th. This was reported by law enforcement with very poor driving conditions. Later on in the day on the 27th, another round of precipitation in the form of freezing rain caused havoc on roads and powerlines. Several areas lost power with 0.5 to 0.75 inches of ice on surfaces to include trees and powerlines.

Winter Storm, Armstrong

When
October 26, 4:00 AM CST to October 28, 1:00 AM CST
Where
Armstrong forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
34.965, -101.357 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. The county experienced additional winter weather impacts on the morning of the 27th with a half an inch up to an inch of sleet accumulation. This created very poor driving conditions. On the evening of the 28th an additional two to three inches of snow fell across the county with the higher amounts in the northern half of the county.

Ice Storm, Donley

When
October 26, 4:00 AM CST to October 28, 6:00 AM CST
Where
Donley forecast zone
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
34.965, -100.814 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A combination sleet and freezing rain led to light ice accumulations which caused hazardous driving conditions the morning of Monday, October 26th. On the evening of the 27th, several hours of freezing rain lead to ice accumulations of a quarter to half an inch across much of the county. The higher amounts of half an inch fell in the northern portions of the county adjacent to Gray County. This ice accumulations lead to damaged trees and powerlines with several county residents losing power from this ice storm.

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, Wheeler2020-10-2667MaleVehicle/Towed TrailerIndirect

What these are

Heavy Snow
Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Ice Storm
Freezing rain accumulating a quarter inch or more of ice, or less where it caused significant damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Texas in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, October 2020

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 925034, 925040, 925049, 925051, 925053, 925056, 925057, 925058, 925059, 925060, 925797, 925799, 925800, 925906, 925793, 925798, 925905, 925037, 925039, 925041, 925050.